THE  HOUSE  OF 
RIMMON 


" 


THE  HOUSE  OF 
RIMMON 

A   DRAMA   IN   FOUR  ACTS 


BY 

HENRY  VAN  DYKE 


V^ 

OF  THE 

[    UNIVERSITY  ) 

OF 


NEW  YORK 
CHARLES  SCRIBNER'S  SONS 

1908 


;  ' 


COPYRIGHT,  1908,  BY 
HENRY    VAN    DYK 
All  rights  reserved 

Published  in  October 


THE    HOUSE   OF 
RIMMON 


176755 


DRAMATIS  PERSONS 

BENHADAD:    King  of  Damascus. 

REZON:  High  Priest  of  the  House  of  Rimmon. 

SABALLIDIN:   A  Noble  of  Damascus. 

HAZAEL       \ 

IZDUBHAR     >  Courtiers  of  Damascus. 

RAKHAZ       J 

SHUMAKIM:     The  King's  Fool. 

ELISHA:          Prophet  of  Israel. 

NAAMAN:     Captain  of  the  Armies  of  Damascus. 

RUAHMAHiA  Captive  Maid  of  Israel. 

TSARPI:  Wife  to  Naaman. 

KHAMMA     ) 

>  Attendants  of  Tsarpi. 
NUBTA         5 

Soldiers,  Servants,  Citizens,  etc.,  etc. 

SCENE  :    Damascus  and  the  Mountains  of  Samaria. 
TIME:    850  B.  C. 


ACT  I 


ACT  I 

SCENE  I 

Night,  in  the  garden  of  NAAMAN  at  Damascus.  At  the 
left,  on  a  slightly  raised  terrace,  the  palace,  with  softly 
gleaming  lights  and  music  coming  from  the  open  latticed 
windows.  The  garden  is  full  of  oleanders,  roses,  pome 
granates,  abundance  of  crimson  flowers;  the  air  is 
heavy  with  their  fragrance:  a  fountain  at  the  right  is 
plashing  gently:  behind  it  is  an  arbour  covered  with 
vines.  Near  the  centre  of  the  garden  stands  a  small, 
hideous  image  of  the  god  Rimmon.  Back  of  the  arbour 
rises  the  lofty  square  tower  of  the  House  of  Rimmon, 
which  casts  a  shadow  from  the  moon  across  the  garden. 
The  background  is  a  wide,  hilly  landscape,  with  a  high 
road  passing  over  the  mountains  toward  the  snow-clad 
summits  of  Mount  Herman  in  the  distance.  Enter  by 
the  palace  door,  the  lady  TSARPI,  robed  in  red  and  gold, 
and  followed  by  her  maids,  KHAMMA  and  NUBTA.  She 
remains  on  the  terrace:  they  go  down  into  the  garden, 
looking  about,  and  returning  to  her. 

KHAMMA: 

There's  no  one  here;  the  garden  is  asleep. 

NUBTA: 

The  flowers  are  nodding,  all  the  birds  abed, 

And  nothing  wakes  except  the  watchful  stars! 

5 


6  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON      [Acri.  sc.l. 

KHAMMA: 

The  stars  are  sentinels  discreet  and  mute: 

How  many  things  they  know  and  never  tell! 

TSARPI  :  [Impatiently.] 

Unlike  the  stars,  how  many  things  you  tell 

And  do  not  know !    When  comes  your  master  home  ? 

NUBTA: 

Lady,  his  armour-bearer  brought  us  word 

An  hour  ago,  the  master  will  be  here 
At  moonset,  not  before. 

TSARPI: 

He  haunts  the  camp 

And  leaves  me  much  alone;  yet  I  can  pass 

The  time  of  absence  not  unhappily, 

If  I  but  know  the  time  of  his  return. 

An  hour  of  moonlight  yet!     Khamma,  my  mirror! 

These  curls  are  ill  arranged,  this  veil  too  low,— 

So, — that  is  better,  careless  maids!  Withdraw, — 

But  warn  me  if  your  master  should  appear. 


ACT  I.  sc.i.]      THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  7 

KHAMMA: 

Mistress,  have  no  concern;    for  when  we  hear 

The  clatter  of  his  horse  along  the  street, 

We'll  run  this  way  and  lead  your  dancers  down 

With  song  and  laughter, — you  shall  know  in  time. 

[Exeunt     KHAMMA     and    NUBTA,    laughing, 
TSARPI  descends  the  steps.] 

TSARPI: 

My  guest  is  late;  but  he  will  surely  come! 

Hunger  and  thirst  will  bring  him  to  my  feet. 
The  man  who  burns  to  drain  the  cup  of  love, — 
The  priest  whose  greed  of  glory  never  fails, — 
Both,  both  have  need  of  me,  and  he  will  come. 
And  I, — what  do  I  need  ?    Why  everything 
That  helps  my  beauty  to  a  higher  throne; 
All  that  a  priest  can  promise,  all  a  man 
Can  give,  and  all  a  god  bestow,  I  need: 
This  may  a  woman  win,  and  this  will  I. 


8  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON      [Acri.  Sc.i. 

[Enter  REZON  quietly  from  the  shadow  of  the 
trees.  He  stands  behind  TSARPI  and  listens, 
smiling,  to  her  last  words.  Then  he  drops 
his  mantle  of  leopard-skin,  and  lifts  his  high- 
priests  rod  of  bronze,  shaped  at  one  end  like 
a  star,  at  the  other  like  a  thunderbolt.} 

REZON: 

Tsarpi! 

TSARPI: 

The  mistress  of  the  house  of  Naaman 

Salutes  the  keeper  of  the  House  of  Rimmon. 
[She  bows  low  before  him.] 

REZON: 

Rimmon  receives  you  with  his  star  of  peace; 

[He  lowers  the  star-point  of  the  rod,  which  glows 
for  a  moment  with  rosy  light  above  her 
head.] 

And  I,  his  chosen  minister,  kneel  down 
Before  your  regal  beauty,  and  implore 
The  welcome  of  the  woman  for  the  man. 


ACT  I.  Sc.i.]      THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  g 

TSARPI:    [Giving  him  her    hand,  but    holding  off  his 
embrace.] 

Thus   Tsarpi   welcomes   Rezon!     Nay,   no  more! 

Till  I  have  heard  what  errand  brings  you  here 

By  night,  within  the  garden  of  the  man 

Who   hates  you   most  and  fears  you  least  in  all 

Damascus. 

REZON  :     [Rising,  and  speaking  angrily.] 

Trust  me,  I  repay  his  scorn 
With  double  hatred, — Naaman,  the  man 
Whom  the  King  honours  and  the  people  love, 
Who  stands  against  the  nobles  and  the  priests, 
Against  the  oracles  of  Rimmon's  House, 
And  cries,  "We'll  fight  to  keep  Damascus  free!" 
This  powerful  fool,  this  impious  devotee 
Of  liberty,  who  loves  the  city  more 
Than  he  reveres  the  city's  ancient  god: 
This  frigid  husband  who  sets  you  below 


io  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON      [ACT  I.  Sc.  I. 

His  dream  of  duty  to  a  horde  of  slaves: 
This  man  I  hate,  and  I  will  humble  him. 

TSARPI: 

I  think  I  hate  him  too.    He  stands  apart 

From  me,  ev'n  while  he  holds  me  in  his  arms, 

By  something  that  I  cannot  understand, 

Nor  supple  to  my  will,  nor  melt  with  tears, 

Nor  quite  dissolve  with  blandishments,  although 

He  swears  he  loves  his  wife  next  to  his  honour! 

Next?    That's  too  low!     I  will  be  first  or  nothing. 

REZON: 

With  me  you  are  the  first,  the  absolute! 

When  you  and  I  have  triumphed  you  shall  reign; 
And  you  and  I  will  bring  this  hero  down. 

TSARPI: 

But  how  ?    For  he  is  strong. 

REZON: 

By  these,  the  eyes 

Of  Tsarpi;  and  by  this,  the  rod  of  Rimmon. 


ACT  I.  Sc.i.]      THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  n 

TSARPI  : 

Speak  clearly;  tell  your  plan. 

REZON: 

You  know  the  host 

Of  the  Assyrian  king  has  broken  forth 
Again  to  conquer  us.     Envoys  have  come 
From  Shalmaneser  to  demand  surrender. 
Our  king  Benhadad  wavers,  for  he  knows 
His  weakness.     All  the  nobles,  all  the  rich. 
Would  purchase  peace  that  they  may  grow  more 

rich: 

Only  the  people  and  the  soldiers,  led 
By  Naaman,  would  fight  for  liberty. 
Blind  fools !    To-day  the  envoys  came  to  pay 
Their  worship  to  our  god,  whom  they  adore 
In  Nineveh  as  Asshur's  brother-god. 
They  talked  with  me  in  secret.     Promises, 
Great  promises!     For  every  noble  house 


12  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON      [Acri.  Sc.i. 

That  urges  peace,  a  noble  recompense: 
The  king,  submissive,  kept  in  royal  state 
And  splendour:  most  of  all,  honour  and  wealth 
Shall  crown  the  House  of  Rimmon,  and  his  priest, — 
Yea,  and  his  priestess.     For  we  two  will  rise 
Upon  the  city's  fall.     The  common  folk 
Shall  suffer;  Naaman  shall  sink  with  them 
In  wreck;  but  I  shall  rise,  and  you  shall  rise 
Above  me!  You  shall  climb,  through  incense-smoke, 
And  days  of  pomp,  and  nights  of  revelry, 
Glorious  rites  and  ecstasies  of  love, 
Unto  the  topmost  room  in  Rimmon's  tower, 
The  secret,  lofty  room,  the  couch  of  bliss, 
And  the  divine  embraces  of  the  god. 
TSARPI:    [Throwing  out  her  arms  in  exultation.] 
All,  all  I  wish!     What  must  I  do  for  this? 

REZON: 

Turn  Naaman  away  from  thoughts  of  war; 


ACT  i.  sc.  I.]      THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  13 

Or  purchase  him  with  love's  delights  to  yield 
This  point, — I   care  not  how, — and  afterwards 
The  future  shall  be  ours. 

TSARPI: 

And  if  I  fail? 

REZON: 

I  have  another  shaft.    The  last  appeal, 

Before  the  king  decides,  is  to  the  oracle 
Of  Rimmon.     You  shall  read  the  signs! 
A  former  priestess  of  his  temple,  you 
Shall  be  the  interpreter  of  heaven,  and  speak 
A  word  to  melt  this  brazen  soldier's  heart 
Within  his  breast. 

TSARPI: 

But  if  it  flame  instead  ? 

REZON  : 

I  know  the  way  to  quench  that  flame.     The  cup, 

The  parting  cup  your  hand  shall  give  to  him! 
\Vhat  if  the  curse  of  Rimmon  should  infect 


i4  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON      [ACT  I.  sc.  i. 

That  wine  with  sacred  venom,  secretly 
To  work  within  his  veins,  week  after  week 
Corrupting  all  the  currents  of  his  blood, 
Dimming  his  eyes,  wasting  his  flesh  ?    What  then  ? 
Would  he  prevail  in  war?    Would  he  come  back 
To  glory,  or  to  shame  ?    What  think  you  ? 

TSARPI: 

I? 

I  do  not  think;  I  only  do  my  part. 
But  can  the  gods  bless  this  ? 

REZON: 

The  gods  can  bless 

Whatever  they  decree ;  their  will  makes  right ; 

And  this  is  for  the  glory  of  the  house 

Of    Rimmon, — and   for  thee,  my  queen.     Come, 

come! 
The  night  grows  dark:  we'll  perfect  our  alliance. 

[REZON   draws  her  with  him,  embracing   her, 
through  the  shadows  of  the  garden.  RUAHMAH, 


ACT  I.  sc.i.]      THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  15 

who  has  been  sleeping  in  the  arbour,  has  been 
awakened  during  the  dialogue,  and  has  been 
dimly  visible  in  her  white  dress,  behind  the 
vines.  She  parts  them  and  comes  out,  pushing 
back  her  long,  dark  hair  from  her  temples.] 

RUAHMAH: 

What  have  I  heard?     O  God,  what  shame  is  this 

Plotted  beneath  Thy  pure  and  silent  stars! 

Was  it  for  this  that  I  was  brought  away 

Captive  from  Israel's  blessed  hills  to  serve 

A  heathen  mistress  in  a  land  of  lies? 

Ah,  treacherous,  shameful   priest!     Ah,  shameless 

wife 

Of  one  too  noble  to  suspect  thy  guilt! 
The  very  greatness  of  his  generous  heart 
Betrays  him  to  their  hands.     What  can  I  do  ? 
Nothing, — a  slave, — hated  and  mocked  by  all 
My  fellow-slaves!     O  bitter  prison-life! 
I  smother  in  this  black,  betraying  air 


16  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON      [Acri.  Sc.i. 

Of  lust  and  luxury;  I  faint  beneath 
The  shadow  of  this  House  of  Rimmon.     God 
Have  mercy!    Lead  me  out  to  Israel. 
To  Israel! 

[Music  and  laughter  heard  within  the  palace. 
The  doors  fly  open  and  a  flood  of  men  and 
women,  dancers,  players,  flushed  with  wine, 
dishevelled,  pour  down  the  steps,  KHAMMA  and 
NUBTA  with  them.  They  crown  the  image 
with  roses  and  dance  around  it.  RUAHMAH  is 
discovered  crouching  beside  the  arbour.  They 
drag  her  out  before  the  image.] 

NUBTA: 

Look!    Here's  the  Hebrew  maid, — 

She's  homesick;  let  us  comfort  her! 

KHAMMA  :  [  They  put  their  arms  around  her.] 
Yes,  dancing  is  the  cure  for  homesickness. 

We'll  make  her  dance. 

RUAHMAH:  [She  slips  away.] 

I  pray  you,  let  me  go! 

I  cannot  dance,  I  do  not  know  your  measures. 


ACT  I.  Sc.i.]      THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  17 

KHAMMA  : 

Then  sing  for  us, — a  song  of  Israel ! 

RUAHMAH: 

How  can  I  sing  the  songs  of  Israel 

In  this  strange  country  ?     O  my  heart  would  break 
With  grief  in  every  note  of  that  dear  music. 

A  SERVANT: 

A  stubborn  and  unfriendly  maid !    We'll  whip  her- 

[They  circle  around  her,  striking  her  with  rose- 
branches;   she  sinks  to  her  knees,  covering  her 
face  with  her  bare  arms,  which  bleed.] 
NUBTA  : 

Look,  look!     She  kneels  to  Rimmon,  she  is  tamed. 

RUAHMAH  :  [Springing  up  and  lifting  her  arms.] 
Nay,  not  to  this  dumb  idol,  but  to  Him 

Who  made  Orio'n  and  the  seven  stars! 

ALL: 

She  raves, — she  mocks  at  Rimmon!     Punish  her! 

The  fountain!     Wash  her  blasphemy  away! 

[They  push  her  toward  the  fountain,  laughing 
and  shouting.    In  the  open  door  of  the  palace 


i8  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON      [ACTI.  Sc.i. 

NAAMAN  appears,  dressed  in  blue  and  silver, 
bareheaded  and  unarmed.  He  comes  to  the 
top  of  the  steps  and  stands  for  a  moment, 
astonished  and  angry.] 

NAAMAN: 

Silence!     What  drunken  rout  is  this?    Begone, 

Ye  barking  dogs  and  mewing  cats !     Out,  all ! 
Poor  child,  what  have  they  done  to  thee  ? 

[Exeunt  all  except  RUAHMAH,  who  stands  with 
her  face  covered  by  her  hands.  NAAMAN 
comes  to  her,  laying  his  hand  on  her  shoul 
der.} 

RUAHMAH:  [Looking  up  in  his  face.} 

Nothing, 

My  lord  and  master!     They  have  harmed  me  not. 

NAAMAN:   [Toucliing  her  arm.] 
Dost  call  this  nothing? 

RUAHMAH : 

Since  my  lord  is  come. 

NAAMAN : 

I  do  not  know  thy  face, — who  art  thou,  child  ? 


ACT  I.  sc.  i.]      THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  19 

RUAHMAH: 

The  handmaid  of  thy  wife.     These  three  years  past 

I  have  attended  her. 

NAAMAN : 

Whence  comest  thou? 

Thy  voice  is  like  thy  mistress,  but  thy  looks 
Have  something  foreign.     Tell  thy  name,  thy  land. 

RUAHMAH: 

\       Ruahmah  is  my  name,  a  captive  maid, 

The  daughter  of  a  prince  in  Israel, — 
Where  once,  in  olden  days,  I  saw  my  lord 
Ride  through  our  highlands,  when  Samaria 
Was  allied' with  Damascus  to  defeat 
Asshur,  our  common  foe. 

NAAMAN: 

O  glorious  days, 

Crowded  with  life!    And  thou  rememberest  them? 

RUAHMAH: 

As  clear  as  yesterday!    Master,  I  saw 

Thee  riding  on  a  snow-white  horse  beside 


20  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON      [ACT  I.  Sc.  I, 

Our  king;  and  all  we  joyful  little  maids 
Strewed  boughs  of  palm  along  the  victors'  way; 
For  you  had  driven  out  the  enemy, 
Broken;  and  both  our  lands  were  friends  and  free. 

NAAMAN:    [Sadly.] 

Well,  they  are  past,  those  noble  days!    The  friends 

That  fought  for  freedom  stand  apart,  rivals 

For  Asshur's  favour,  like  two  jealous  dogs 

That  snarl  and  bite  each  other,  while  they  wait 

The  master's  whip,  enforcing  peace.     The  days 

When' nations  would  imperil  all  to  keep 

Their  liberties,  are  only  memories  now. 

The  common  cause  is  lost, — and  thou  art  brought, 

The  captive  of  some  mercenary  raid, 

Some  profitable,  honourless  fdray, 

To  serve  within  my  house.     Dost  thou  fare  well? 

RUAHMAH: 

Master,  thou  seest. 


ACT  I.  sc.  I.]      THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  21 

NAAMAN: 

Yes,  I  see!    My  child, 

Why  do  they  hate  thee  so  ? 

RUAHMAH: 

I  do  not  know, 

Unless  because  I  will  not  bow  to  Rimmon. 

NAAMAN: 

Thou  needest  not.     I  fear  he  is  a  god 

Who  pities  not  his  people,  will  not  save. 
My  heart  is  sick  with  doubt  of  him.     But  thou 
Shalt  hold  thy  faith, — I  care  not  what  it  is, — 
Worship  thy  god ;  but  keep  thy  spirit  free. 
Here,  take  this  chain  and  wear  it  with  my  seal, 
None  shall  molest  the  maid  who  carries  this. 
Thou  hast  found  favour  in  thy  master's  eyes; 
Hast  thou  no  other  gift  to  ask  of  me  ? 
RUAHMAH:  [Earnestly.] 

My  lord,  I  do  entreat  thee  not  to  go 
To-morrow  to  the  council.     Seek  the  King 


22  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON      [Acri.  Sc.i. 

.   And  speak  with  him  in  secret;  but  avoid 
The  audience-hall. 

NAAMAN  : 

Why,  what  is  this  ?     Thy  wits 

Are  wandering.     Why  dost  thou   ask   this  thing 
Impossible!     My  honour  is  engaged 
To  speak  for  war,  to  lead  in  war  against 
The  Assyrian  Bull  and  save  Damascus. 
RUAHMAH:  [With  confused  earnestness.} 

Then,  lord,  if  thou  must  go,  I  pray  thee  speak, — 
I  know  not  how, — but  so  that  all  must  hear. 
With  magic  of  unanswerable  words 
Persuade  thy  foes.     Yet  watch, — beware, — 

NAAMAN: 

Of  what? 

RUAHMAH:  [Turning  aside.] 

I  am  entangled  in  my  speech,— no  light,— 
How  shall  I  tell  him?  He  will' not  believe. 
O  my  dear  lord,  thine  enemies  are  they 


ACT  I.  sc.  i.]      THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  23 

Of  thine  own  house.     I  pray  thee  to  beware, — 
Beware, — of  Rimmon! 

NAAMAN: 

Child,  thy  words  are  wild; 

Thy  troubles  have  bewildered  all  thy  brain. 
Go,  now,  and  fret  no  more;   but  sleep,  and  dream 
Of  Israel!     For  thou  shalt  see  thy  home 
Among  the  hills  again. 

RUAHMAH: 

Master,  good-night. 

And  may  thy  slumber  be  as  sweet  and  deep 

As  if  thou  camped  at  snowy  Hermon's  foot, 

Amid  the  music  of  his  waterfalls 

And  watched  by  \vinged  sentries  of  the  sky. 

There  friendly  oak-trees  bend  their  boughs  above 

The  weary  head,  pillowed  on  earth's  kind  breast, 

And  unpolluted  breezes  lightly  breathe 

A  song  of  sleep  among  the  murmuring  leaves. 

There  the  big  stars  draw  nearer,  and  the  sun 


:'  OF  THE     ^ 


24  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON      [ACT  I.  sc.  I. 

Looks  forth  serene,  undimmed  by  city's  mirk 
Or  smoke  of  idol-temples,  to  behold 
The  waking  wonder  of  the  wide-spread  world, 
And  life  renews  itself  with  every  morn 
In  purest  joy  of  living.     May  the  Lord 
Deliver  thee,  dear  master,  from  the  nets 
Laid  for  thy  feet,  and  lead  thee  out,  along 
The  open  path,  beneath  the  open  sky! 
Thou  shalt  be  followed  always  by  the  heart 
Of  one  poor  captive  maid  who  prays  for  thee. 

[Exit  RUAHMAH:  NAA-MAN  stands  looking  after 
her] 


ACT  i.  sc.  ii.]     THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  25 

SCENE  II. 
TIME:     The  following  morning. 

The  audience-hall  in  BENHADAD'S  palace.  The  sides  of 
the  hall  are  lined  with  lofty  columns:  the  back  opens 
toward  the  city,  with  descending  steps:  the  House  of 
Rimmon  with  its  high  tower  is  seen  in  the  background. 
The  throne  is  at  the  right  in  front:  opposite  is  the  royal 
door  of  entrance,  guarded  by  four  tall  sentinels.  Enter 
at  the  rear  between  the  columns,  RAKHAZ,  SABALLIDIN, 
HAZAEL,  IZDUBHAR. 

IZDUBHAR:  [An  excited  old  man.] 

The  city  is  all  in  a  turmoil.     It  boils  like  a  pot  of 

lentils.  The  people  are  foaming  and  bubbling 
round  and  round  like  beans  in  the  pottage. 

HAZAEL:  [A  lean,  crafty  man.] 
Fear  is  a  hot  fire. 

RAKHAZ  :  [A  fat,  pompous  man.] 

Well  may  they  fear,  for  the  Assyrians  are  not  three 

days  distant.  They  are  blazing  along  like  a 
waterspout  to  chop  Damascus  down  like  a  pitcher 
of  spilt  milk, 


26  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON    [Acri.  Sc.n. 

SABALLIDIN:  [Young  and  frank] 

Cannot  Naaman  drive  them  back? 

RAKHAZ:  [Puffing  and  blowing] 

Ho!     Naaman?     Where    have   you    been   living? 

Naaman  is  a  broken  reed  whose  claws  have 
been  cut.  Build  no  hopes  on  that  foundation, 
for  it  will  upset  in  the  midst  of  the  sea  and 
leave  you  hanging  in  the  air. 

SABALLIDIN  : 

He  clatters  like  a  windmill.     What  would  he  say, 

Hazael? 

HAZAEL: 

Naaman  can  do  nothing  without  the  command  of 

the  King;  and  the  King  fears  to  order  the  army 
to  march  without  the  approval  of  the  gods. 
The  High  Priest  is  against  it.  The  House  of 
Rimmon  is  for  peace  with  Asshur. 

RAKHAZ  : 

Yes,  and  all  the  nobles  are  for  peace.     We  are 


ACT  I.  Sc.  II.]     THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  27 

the  men  whose  wisdom  lights  the  rudder  that 
upholds  the  chariot  of  state.  Would  we  be 
rich  if  we  were  not  wise?  Do  we  not  know 
better  than  the  rabble  what  medicine  will  silence 
this  fire  that  threatens  to  drown  us? 

IZDUBHAR  : 

But  if  the  Assyrians  come,  we  shall  all  perish;   they 

will  despoil  us  all. 

HAZAEL: 

Not  us,  my  lord,  only  the  common  people.    The 

envoys  have  offered  favourable  terms  to  the  priests, 
and  the  nobles,  and  the  King.  No  palace,  no 
temple,  shall  be  plundered.  Only  the  shops,  and 
the  markets,  and  the  houses  of  the  multitude  shall 
be  given  up  to  the  Bull.  He  will  eat  his  supper 
from  the  pot  of  lentils,  not  from  our  golden  plate. 

RAKHAZ  : 

Yes,  and  all  who  speak  for  peace  in  the  council  shall 

be  enriched;    our  heads  shall  be  crowned  with 


28  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON     [ACT  I.  Sc.  n. 

seats  of  honour  in  the  processions  of  the  As 
syrian  king.  He  needs  wise  counsellors  to  help 
him  guide  the  ship  of  empire  onto  the  solid  rock 
of  prosperity.  You  must  be  with  us,  my  lords 
Izdubhar  and  Saballidin,  and  let  the  stars  of 
your  wisdom  roar  loudly  for  peace. 

IZDUBHAR: 

He  talks  like  a  tablet  read  upside  down, — a  wild 

ass    braying   in    the    wilderness.      Yet   there  is" 
policy  in  his  words. 

SABALLIDIN  : 

I  know  not.     Can  a  kingdom  live  without  a  people 

or  an  army?  If  we  let  the  Bull  in  to  sup  on 
the  lentils,  will  he  not  make  his  breakfast  in  our 
vineyards  ? 

[Enter  other  courtiers  following  SHUMAKIM,  a 
crooked  little  jester,  in  blue,  green  and  red,  a 
wreath  of  poppies  around  his  neck  and  a 
flagon  in  his  hand.  He  walks  unsteadily, 
and  stutters  in  his  speech.] 


ACT  i.  sc.  ii.]     THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  29 

HAZAEL: 

Here  is  Shumakim,  the  King's  fool,  with  his  legs 

full  of  last  night's  wine. 

SHUMAKIM:    [Balancing   himself  in  front  of  them  and 

chuckling.] 
Wrong,   my  lords,   very  wrong!    This  is  not  last 

night's  wine,  but  a  draught  the  King's  physician 
gave  me  this  morning  for  a  cure.  It  sobers  me 
amazingly!  I  know  you  all,  my  lords:  any  fool 
would  know  you.  You,  master,  are  a  statesman; 
and  you  are  a  politician;  and  you  are  a  patriot. 

RAKHAZ: 

Am  I  a  statesman?    I  felt  something  of  the  kind 

about  me.     But  what  is  a  statesman? 

SHUMAKIM  : 

A  politician  that  is  stuffed  with  big  words;  a  fat  man 

in  a  mask;  one  that  plays  a  solemn  tune  on  a 
sackbut  full  o'  wind. 

HAZAEL: 

And  what  is  a  politician  ? 


30  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON     [ACT  I.  sc.  n. 

SHUMAKIM  : 

A  statesman  that  has  dropped  his  mask  and  cracked 

his  sackbut.  Men  trust  him  for  what  he  is,  and 
he  never  deceives  them,  because  he  always  lies. 

IZDUBHAR: 

Why  do  you  call  me  a  patriot  ? 

SHUMAKIM  : 

Because  you  know  what  is  good  for  you;  you  love 

your  country  as  you  love  your  pelf.  You  feel  for 
the  common  people, — as  the  wolf  feels  for  the 
sheep. 

SABALLIDIN: 

And  what  am  I? 

SHUMAKIM  : 

A  fool,  master,  just  a  plain  fool;  and  there  is  hope 

of  thee  for  that  reason.  Embrace  me,  brother, 
and  taste  this;  but  not  too  much, — it  will  intoxi 
cate  thee  with  sobriety. 

[The  hall  has  been  slowly  filling  with  courtiers 
and  soldiers:  a  crowd  of  people  begin  to  come 


ACT  I.  sc.  II.]     THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  31 

up  the  steps  at  the  rear,  where  they  are  halted 
by  a  chain  guarded  by  servants  of  the  palace. 
A  bell  tolls;  the  royal  door  is  thrown  open; 
the  aged  King  crosses  the  hall  slowly  and  takes 
his  seat  on  the  throne  with  the  four  tall  senti 
nels  standing  behind  him.  All  bow  down 
shading  their  eyes  with  their  hands.} 

BENHADAD : 

The  hour  of  royal  audience  is  come. 

I'll  hear  the  envoys  of  my  brother  king, 
The  son  of  Asshur.     Are  my  counsellors 
At   hand?    Where   are   the   priests   of   Rimmon's 
House  ? 

[Gongs  sound.  REZON  comes  in  from  the  rear, 
followed  by  a  procession  of  priests  in  black  and 
yellow.  The  courtiers  bow;  the  King  rises; 
REZON  takes  his  stand  on  the  steps  of  the  throne 
at  the  left  of  the  King.} 

BENHADAD : 

Where  is  my  faithful  servant  Naaman, 

The  captain  of  my  host? 


32  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON     [ACT  I.  Sc.  n. 

[Trumpets  sound  from  the  city.  The  crowd  on 
the  steps  divide;  the  chain  is  lowered;  NAAMAN 
enters,  followed  by  six  soldiers.  He  is  dressed 
in  chain-mail,  with  a  silver  helmet  and  a  cloak 
of  blue.  He  uncovers,  and  kneels  on  the  steps 
of  the  throne  at  the  King's  right.] 

NAAMAN: 

My  lord  the  King, 

The  bearer  of  thy  sword  is  here. 

BENHADAD:  [Giving    NAAMAN   his   hand,   and    sitting 
down.} 

Welcome, 

My  strong  right  arm  that  never  failed  me  yet! 
I  am  in  doubt, — but  stay  thou  close  to  me 
While  I  decide  this  cause.     Where  are  the  envoys  ? 
Let  them  appear  and  give  their  message. 

[Enter  the  Assyrian  envoys;  one  in  white  and 
the  other  in  red;  both  with  the  golden  Bull's 
head  embroidered  on  their  robes.  They  come 
from  the  right,  rear,  bow  slightly  before  the 
throne,  and  take  the  centre  of  the  hall.} 


ACT  I.  Sc.  II.]     THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  33 

WHITE  ENVOY:  [Stepping  forward.] 

Greeting  from  Shalmaneser,  Asshur's  son, 

The  king  who  reigns  at  Nineveh 

And  takes  his  tribute  from  a  thousand  cities, 

Unto  Benhadad,  monarch  in  Damascus! 

The  conquering  Bull  has  come  out  of  the  north; 

The  south  has  fallen  before  him,  and  the  west 

His  feet  have  trodden;  Hamath  is  laid  waste; 

He  pauses  at  your  gate,  invincible, — 

To  offer  peace.     The  princes  of  your  court, 

The  priests  of  Rimmon's  house,  and  you,  the  King, 

If  you  pay  homage  to  your  overlord, 

Shall  rest  secure,  and  flourish  as  our  friends. 

Assyria  sends  to  you  this  gilded  yoke; 

Receive  it  as  the  sign  of  proffered  peace. 

[He  lays  a  yoke  on  the  steps  of  the  throne} 

BENHADAD: 

What  of  the  city  ?     Said  your  king  no  word 

Of  our  Damascus,  and  the  many  folk 


34  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON    [Acri.  sc.n. 

That  do  inhabit  her  and  make  her  great  ? 

What  of  the  soldiers  who  have  fought  for  us  ? 

The  people  who  have  sheltered  'neath  our  shield? 

WHITE  ENVOY: 

Of  these  my  royal  master  did  not  speak. 

BENHADAD : 

Strange  silence !    Must  we  give  them  up  to  him  ? 

Is  this  the  price  at  which  he  offers  us 

The  yoke  of  peace  ?    What  if  we  do  refuse  ? 

RED  ENYOY:  [Stepping  forward.] 

Then  ruthless  war!    War  to  the  uttermost. 

No  quarter,  no  compassion,  no  escape ! 

The  Bull  will  gore  and  trample  in  his  fury 

Nobles  and  priests  and  king, — none  shall  be  spared! 

Before  the  throne  we  lay  our  second  gift; 

This  bloody  horn,  the  symbol  of  red  war. 

[He  lays  a  long  bull's  horn,  stained  -with  blood 
on  the  steps  of  the  throne.} 

WHITE  ENVOY: 

Our  message  is  delivered.     Grant  us  leave 


ACT  I.  Sc.  II.]     THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  35 

And  safe  conveyance,  that  we  may  return 
Unto  our  master.     He  will  wait  three  days 
To  know  your  royal  choice  between  his  gifts. 
Keep  which  you  will  and  send  the  other  back; 
The  red  bull's  horn  your  youngest  page  may  bring; 
But  with  the  yoke,  best  send  your  mightiest  army! 

[The  ENVOYS  retire,  amid  confused  murmurs  of 
the  people,  the  King  silent,  his  head  sunken  on 
his  breast.} 
BENHADAD : 

Proud  words,  a  bitter  message,  hard  to  endure! 

We  are  not  now  that  force  which  feared  no  foe: 
Our  host  is  weakened,  and  our  old  allies 
Have  left  us.     Can  we  face  this  raging  Bull 
Alone,  and  beat  him  back?    Give  me  your  counsel. 

[Many  speak  at  once,  confusedly.] 
What  babblement  is  this?  Were  ye  born  at  Babel? 

Give  me  clear  words  and  reasonable  speech. 

RAKHAZ:  [Pompously.] 

O  King,  I  am  a  reasonable  man; 


36  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON     [ACT  I.  Sc.  n. 

And  there  be  some  who  call  me  very  wise 
And  prudent;  but  of  this  I  will  not  speak, 
For  I  am  also  modest.    Let  me  plead, 
Persuade,  and  reason  you  to  choose  for  peace. 
This  golden  yoke  may  be  a  bitter  draught, 
But  better  far  to  fold  it  in  our  arms, 
Than  risk  our  cargoes  in  the  savage  horn 
Of  war.     Shall  we  imperil  all  our  wealth, 
Our  valuable  lives  ?    Nobles  are  few, 
Rich  men  are  rare,  and  wise  men  rarer  still; 
The  precious  jewels  on  the  tree  of  life, 
Wherein  the  common  people  are  but  bricks 
And  clay  and  rubble.    Let  the  city  go, 
But  save  the  corner-stones  that  float  the  ship! 
Have  I  not  spoken  well  ? 

BENHADAD:  [Shaking  his  head.] 

Excellent  well! 

Most  eloquent!    But  misty  in  the  meaning. 


ACT  I.  Sc.  II.]     THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  37 

HAZAEL:  [With  cold  decision.] 

Then  let  me  speak,  O  King,  in  plainer  words! 

The  days  of  independent  states  are  past: 
The  tide  of  empire  sweeps  across  the  earth; 
Assyria  rides  it  with  resistless  power 
And  thunders  on  to  subjugate  the  world. 
Oppose  her,  and  we  fight  with  Destiny; 
Submit  to  her  demands,  and  we  shall  ride 
With  her  to  victory.     Therefore  return 
This  bloody  horn,  the  symbol  of  wild  war, 
With  words  of  soft  refusal,  and  accept 
The  golden  yoke,  Assyria's  gift  of  peace. 

NAAMAN:   [Starting  forward  eagerly.] 

There  is  no  peace  beneath  a  conqueror's  yoke, 

My  King,  but  shame  and  heaviness  of  heart! 
For  every  state  that  barters  liberty 
To  win  imperial  favour,  shall  be  drained 
Of  her  best  bloodi  henceforth,  in  endless  wars 


38  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON     [Acxi.  Sc.  n. 

To  make  the  empire  greater.     Here's  the  choice- 
.  We  fight  to-day  to  keep  our  country  free, 

Or  else  we  fight  forevermore  to  help 
Assyria  bind  the  world  as  we  are  bound. 
I  arn  a  soldier,  and  I  know  the  hell 
Of  war!    But  I  will  gladly  ride  through  hell 
To  save  Damascus.    Master,  bid  me  ride! 
Ten  thousand  chariots  wait  for  your  command; 
And  twenty  thousand  horsemen  strain  the  leash 
Of  patience  till  you  let  them  go;    a  throng 
Of  spearmen,  archers,  swordsmen,  like  the  sea 
Chafing  against  a  dike,  roar  for  the  onset ! 
O  master,  let  me  launch  your  mighty  host 
Against  the  Bull, — we'll  bring  him  to  hi?  knees! 

[Cries  of  "War!1'  from  the  soldiers  and  the 
people;  "peace!"  from  the  courtiers  and  the 
priests.  The  King  rises,  turning  toward 
NAAMAN,  and  seems  about  to  speak.  REZON 
lifts  his  rod.] 


ACT  I.  sc.  ii.]     THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  39 

REZON: 

Shall   not   the   gods   decide   when  mortals  doubt? 

Rimmon  is  master  of  the  city's  fate; 

He  reigns  in  secret  and  his  will  is  law; 

We  read  his  will,  by  our  most  ancient  faith, 

In  omens  and  in  signs  of  mystery. 

Must  we  not  hearken  to  his  high  commands  ? 

BENHADAD:  [Sinking  back  on  the  throne,  submissively.} 
I  am  the  faithful  son  of  Rimmon's  House. 

Consult  the  oracle.     But  who  shall  read? 

REZON: 

Tsarpi,  the  wife  of  Naaman,  who  served 

Within  the  temple  in  her  maiden  years, 
Shall  be  the  mouthpiece  of  the  mighty  god, 
To-day's  high-priestess.     Bring  the  sacrifice! 

[Gongs  and  cymbals  sound:  enter  priests  carrying 
an  altar  on  which  a  lamb  is  bound.  The  altar 
is  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  hall.  TSARPI 
follows  the  priests,  covered  with  a  long  trans 
parent  veil  of  black,  sewn  with  gold  stars; 


40  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON     [Acri.  Sc.n. 

RUAHMAH,  in  white,  bears  her  train.  TSARPI 
stands  before  the  altar,  facing  it,  and  lifts  her 
right  hand  holding  a  knife.  RUAHMAH  steps 
back,  near  the  throne,  her  hands  crossed  on  her 
breast,  her  head  bowed.  The  priests  close  in 
around  TSARPI  and  the  altar.  The  knife  is 
seen  to  strike  downward.  Gongs  and  cymbals 
sound:  cries  of  " Rimmon,  hear  us!"  The 
circle  of  priests  opens,  and  TSARPI  turns  slow 
ly  to  face  the  King.] 

TSARPI:    [Monotonously.] 

Black  is  the  blood  of  the  "victim, 

Rimmon  is  unfavourable, 

Asratu  is  unfavourable; 

They  will  not  war  against  Asshur, 

They  will  make  a  league  with  the  God  of  Nineveh. 

Evil  is  in  store  for  Damascus, 

A  strong  enemy  will  lay  waste  the  land. 

Therefore  make  peace  with  the  Bull; 

Hearken  to  the  voice  of  Rimmon. 


ACT  i.  Sc.  II.]     THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  41 

[She  turns  again  to  the  altar,  and  the  priests 
close  in  around  her.  REZON  lifts  his  rod 
toward  the  tower  of  the  temple.  A  flash  of 
lightning  followed  by  thunder;  smoke  rises 
from  the  altar;  all  except  NAAMAN  and  RUAH- 
MAH  cover  their  faces.  The  circle  of  priests 
opens  again,  and  TSARPI  comes  forward  slowly, 
chanting.] 

CHANT: 
Hear  the  words  of  Rimmon!     Thus  your   Maker 

speaketh: 

I,  the  god  of  thunder,  riding  on  the  whirlwind, 
I,  the  god  of  lightning  leaping  from  the  storm-cloud, 
I  will  smite  with  vengeance  him  who  dares  defy  me! 
He  who  leads  Damascus  into  war  with  Asshur, 
Conquering  or  conquered,  bears  my  curse  upon  him. 
Surely  shall  my  arrow  strike  his  heart  in  secret, 
Burn  his  flesh  with  fever,  turn  his  blood  to  poison, 
Brand  him  with  corruption,  drive  him  into  darkness; 
He  alone  shall  perish,  by  the  doom  of  Rimmon. 


42  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON    [ACT  i.  sc.  n. 

[All  are  terrified  and  look  toward  NAAMAN, 
shuddering.  RUAHMAH  alone  seems  not  to 
heed  the  curse,  but  stands  with  her  eyes  fixed 
on  NAAMAN.] 

RUAHMAH: 

Be  not  afraid!    There  is  a  greater  God 

Shall  cover  thee  with  His  almighty  wings: 
Beneath  his  shield  and  buckler  shalt  thou  trust, 

BENHADAD: 

Repent,  my  son,  thou  must  not  brave  this  curse. 

NAAMAN: 

My  King,  there  is  no  curse  as  terrible 

As  that  which  lights  a  bosom-fire  for  him 

Who  gives  away  his  honour,  to  prolong 

A  craven  life  whose  every  breath  is  shame! 

If  I  betray  the  men  who  follow  me, 

The  city  that  has  put  her  trust  in  me, 

The  country  to  whose  service  I  am  bound, 

What  king  can  shield  me  from  my  own  deep  scorn, 

What  god  release  me  from  that  self-made  hell  ? 


ACT  i.  Sc.  II.]     THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  43 

The  tender  mercies  of  Assyria 

I  know;  and  they  are  cruel  as  creeping  tigers. 

Give  up  Damascus,  and  her  streets  will  run 

Rivers  of  innocent  blood;   the  city's  heart, 

That  mighty,  labouring  heart,  wounded  and  crushed 

Beneath  the  brutal  hooves  of  the  wild  Bull, 

Will  cry  against  her  captain,  sitting  safe 

Among  the  nobles,  in  some  pleasant  place. 

I  shall  be  safe, — safe  from  the  threatened  wrath 

Of  unknown  gods,  but  damned  forever  by 

The  men  I  know, — that  is  the  curse  I  fear. 

BENHADAD : 

Speak  not  so  high,  my  son.     Must  we  not  bow 

Our  heads  before  the  sovereignties  of  heaven  ? 
The  unseen  rulers  are  Divine. 

NAAMAN : 

O  King, 

I  am  unlearned  in  the  lore  of  priests; 

Yet  well  I  know  that  there  are  hidden  powers 


44  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON     [ACT  i.  sc.  n. 

About  us,  working  mortal  weal  and  woe 

Beyond  the  force  of  mortal  to  control. 

And  if  these  powers  appear  in  love  and  truth, 

I  think  they  must  be  gods,  and  worship  them. 

But  if  their  secret  will  is  manifest 

In  blind  decrees  of  sheer  omnipotence, 

That  punish  where  no  fault  is  found,  and  smite 

The  poor  with  undeserved  calamity, 

And  pierce  the  undefended  in  the  dark 

With  arrows  of  injustice,  and  foredoom 

The  innocent  to  burn  in  endless  pain, 

I  will  not  call  this  fierce  almightiness 

Divine.     Though  I  must  bear,  with  every  man. 

The  burden  of  my  life  ordained,  I'll  keep 

My  soul  unterrified,  and  tread  the  path 

Of  truth  and  honour  with  a  steady  heart! 

But  if  I  err  in  this;  and  if  there  be 

Divinities  whose  will  is  cruel,  unjust, 


ACT  I.  sc.  ii.]     THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  45 

Capricious  and  supreme,  I  will  forswear 

The  favour  of  these  gods,  and  take  my  part 

With  man  to  suffer  and  for  man  to  die. 

Have  ye  not  heard,  my  lords  ?    The  oracle 

Proclaims  to  me,  to  me  alone,  the  doom 

Of  vengeance  if  I  lead  the  army  out. 

"Conquered  or  conquering!"     I  grip  that  chance! 

Damascus  free,  her  foes  all  beaten  back, 

The  people  saved  from  slavery,  the  King 

Upheld  in  honour  on  his  ancient  throne, — 

O  what's  the  cost  of  this?    I'll  gladly  pay 

Whatever  gods  there  be,  whatever  price 

They  ask  for  this  one  victory.     Give  me 

This  gilded  sign  of  shame  to  carry  back; 

I'll  shake  it  in  the  face  of  Asshur's  king, 

And  break  it  on  his  teeth. 

BENHADAD:  [Rising.] 

Then  go,  my  never-beaten  captain,  go! 


46  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON     [ACT  i.  sc.  n. 

And  may  the  powers  that  hear  thy  solemn  vow 
Forgive  thy  rashness  for  Damascus'  sake, 
Prosper  thy  fighting,  and  remit  thy  pledge. 

REZON:  [Standing  beside  the  altar.] 

The  pledge,  O  King,  this  man  must  seal  his  pledge 

At  Rimmon's  altar.     He  must  take  the  cup 
Of  soldier-sacrament,  and  bind  himself 
By  thrice-performed  libation  to  abide 
The  fate  he  has  invoked. 

NAAMAN:  [Slowly.] 

And  so  I  will. 

[He  comes  down  the  steps,  toward  the  altar,  where 
REZON  is  fitting  the  cup  which  TSARPI  holds. 
RUAHMAH  throws  herself  before  NAAMAN, 
clasping  his  knees.] 

RUAHMAH:   [Passionately  and  wildly] 

My  lord,  I  do  beseech  you,  stay!     There's  death 

Within  that  cup.     It  is  an  offering 

To  devils.     See,  the  wine  blazes  like  fire, 

It  flows  like  blood,  it  is  a  cursed  cup, 


ACT  i.  sc.  ii.]     THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  47 

Fulfilled  of  treachery  and  hate. 

Dear  master,  noble  master,  touch  it  not! 

NAAMAN: 

Poor  maid,  thy  brain  is  still  distraught.      Fear  not 

But  let  me  go!     Here,  treat  her  tenderly! 

[Gives  her  into  the  hands  of  SABALLIDIN.] 

Can  harm  befall  me  from  the  wife  who  bears 

/ 
My  name  ?     I  take  the  cup  of  fate  from  her. 

I  greet  the  unknown  powers;    [Pours  libation.} 
x 

I  will  perform  my  vow;  [Again.] 
I  will  abide  my  fate;  [Again.] 
I  pledge  my  life  to  keep  Damascus  free. 
[He  drains  the  cup,  and  lets  it  fall.] 

CURTAIN. 


ACT  II 


ACT    II 

TIME:     A  week  later 

The  fore-court  of  the  House  of  Rimmon.  At  the  back  the 
broad  steps  and  double  doors  of  the  shrine:  above  them 
the  tower  of  the  god,  its  summit  invisible.  Enter  various 
groups  of  citizens,  talking,  laughing,  shouting:  RAKHAZ, 
HAZAEL,  SHUMAKIM  and  others. 

FIRST  CITIZEN: 

Great  news,  glorious  news,  the  Assyrians  are  beaten! 

SECOND  CITIZEN: 

Naaman  is  returning,  crowned  with  victory.     Glory 

to  our  noble  captain! 

THIRD  CITIZEN: 

No,  he  is  killed.  I  had  it  from  one  of  the  camp- 
followers  who  saw  him  fall  at  the  head  of  the  bat 
tle.  They  are  bringing  his  body  to  bury  it  with 
honour.  O  sorrowful  victory! 

RAKHAZ: 

Peace,  my  good  fellows,  you  are  ignorant,  you  have 

not  been  rightly  informed,  I  will  misinform  you. 


52  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [Acrii. 

The  accounts  of  Naaman's  death  are  overdrawn. 
He  was  killed,  but  his  life  has  been  preserved. 
One  of  his  wounds  was  mortal,  but  the  other 
three  were  curable,  and  by  these  the  physicians 
have  saved  him. 

SHUMAKIM:    (Balancing  himself  before  RAKHAZ  in  pre 
tended  admiration.] 
O  wonderful!   Most  admirable  logic!    One  mortal, 

and  three  curable,  therefore  he  must  recover  as 
it  were,  by  three  to  one.  Rakhaz,  do  you  know 
that  you  are  a  marvelous  man  ? 

RAKHAZ: 

Yes,  I  know  it,  but  I  make  no  boast  of  my  knowl 
edge. 

SHUMAKIM  : 

Too  modest,  for  in  knowing  this  you  know  what  is 

unknown  to  any  other  in  Damascus! 

[Enter,  from  the  right,  SABALLIDIN  in  armour: 
from  the  left,  TSARPI  with  her  attendants, 
among  whom  is  RUAHMAH.] 


ACT  n.)  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  53 

HAZAEL: 

Here  is  Saballidin,  we'll  question  him; 

He  was  enflamed  by  Naaman's  fiery  words, 
And  rode  with  him  to  battle.     Good,  my  lord, 
We  hail  you  as  a  herald  of  the  fight 
You  helped  to  win.     Give  us  authentic  news 
Of  your  great  general !     Is  he  safe  and  well  ? 
When  will  he  come  ?     Or  will  he  come  at  all  ? 
[All  gather  around  him,  listening  eagerly.] 

SABALLIDIN: 

He  comes  but  now,  returning  from  the  field 

Where  he  hath  gained  a  crown  of  deathless  fame! 
Three  times  he  led  the  charge;   three  times  he  fell 
Wounded,  and  the  Assyrians  beat  us  back. 
Yet  every  wound  was  but  a  spur  to  urge 
His  valour  onward.     In  the  last  attack 
He  rode  before  us  as  the  crested  wave 
That  heads  the  flood;  and  lo,  our  enemies 
Were  broken  like  a  dam  of  river-reeds, 


54  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [ACT  n. 

Burst  by  the  torrent,  scattered,  swept  away! 
But  look !  the  Assyrian  king  in  wavering  flight 
Is  lodged  like  driftwood  on  a  little  hill, 
Encircled  by  his  guard,  and  stands  at  bay. 
Then  Naaman,  followed  hotly  by  a  score 
Of  whirlwind  riders,  hammers  through  the  hedge 
Of  spearmen,  brandishing  the  golden  yoke: 
"Take  back  this  gift,"  he  cries;   and  shatters  it 
On  Shalmaneser's  helmet.     So  the  fight 
Dissolves  in  universal  rout:   the  king, 
His  chariots  and  his  horsemen  melt  away: 
Our  captain  stands  the  master  of  the  field, 
And  saviour  of  Damascus!     Now  he  brings, 
First  to  the  king,  report  of  this  great  triumph. 
[Shouts  of  joy  and  applause.] 

RUAHMAH:   [Coming  close  to  SABALLIDIN.] 

But  what  of  him  who  won  it?     Fares  he  well? 

My  mistress  would  receive  some  word  of  him. 


ACT  ii.]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  55 

SABALLIDIN: 

Hath  she  not  heard? 

RUAHMAH : 

But  one  brief  message  came: 

A  tablet  saying,  "  We  have  fought  and  conquered," 
No  word  of  his  own  person.     Fares  he  well  ? 

SABALLIDIN: 

Alas,  most  ill!     For  he  is  like  a  man 

Consumed  by  some  strange  sickness :  wasted,  wan, — 
His  eyes  are  dimmed  so  that  scarce  can  see; 
His  ears  are  dulled;   his  fearless  face  is  pale 
As  one  who  walks  to  meet  a  certain  doom 
Yet  will  not  flinch.     It  is  most  pitiful, — 
But  you  shall  see. 

RUAHMAH: 

Yea,  we  shall  see  a  man 

Who  took  upon  himself  his  country's  burden,  dared 
To  hazard  all  to  save  the  poor  and  helpless; 
A  man  who  bears  the  wrath  of  evil  powers 
Unknown,  and  pays  the  hero's  sacrifice. 


56  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [Acxii. 

[Enter  BENHADAD  with  courtiers.] 

BENHADAD : 

Where  is  my  faithful  servant  Naaman, 

The  captain  of  my  host? 

SABALLIDIN  : 

My  lord,  he  comes. 

[Trumpet  sounds.  Enter  company  of  soldiers  in 
armour.  Then  four  soldiers  bearing  captured 
standards  of  Asshur.  NAAMAN  follows,  very 
pale,  armour  dinted  and  stained;  he  is  blind, 
and  guides  himself  by  cords  from  the  standards 
en  each  side,  but  walks  firmly.  The  doors  of 
the  temple  open  slightly,  and  REZON  appears 
at  the  top  of  the  steps.  NAAMAN  lets  the  cords 
fall,  and  gropes  his  way  for  a  few  paces.] 

NAAMAN:  [Kneeling.] 

Where  is  my  King? 

Master,  the  bearer  of  thy  sword  returns. 
The  golden  yoke  thou  gavest  me  I  broke 
On  him  who  sent  it.    Asshur's  Bull  hath  fled 
Dehorned.     The  standards  of  his  host  are  thine! 
Damascus  is  all  thine,  at  peace,  and  free! 


ACT  ii.]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  57 

BENHADAD:  [Holding  out  his  arms.] 

Thou  art  a  mighty  man  of  valour!     Come, 

And  let  me  fold  thy  courage  to  my  heart. 

REZON:  [Lifting  his  rod.] 

Forbear,  O  King!    Stand  back  from  him,  all  men! 

By  the  great  name  of  Rimmon  I  proclaim 
This  man  a  leper!     On  his  brow  I  see 
The  death-white  seal,  the  finger-print  of  doom! 
That  tiny  spot  will  spread,  eating  his  flesh, 
Gnawing  his  fingers  bone  from  bone,  until 
The  impious  heart  that  dared  defy  the  gods 
Dissolves  in  the  slow  death  which  now  begins. 
Unclean!    unclean!    Henceforward  he  is  dead: 
No  human  hand  shall  touch  him,  and  no  home 
Of  men  shall  give  him  shelter.     He  shall  walk 
Only  with  corpses  of  the  selfsame  death 
Down  the  long  path  to  a  forgotten  tomb. 
Avoid,  depart,  I  do  adjure  you  all, 
Leave  him  to  god, — the  leper  Naaman! 


58  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [Acrii. 

[All  shrink  back  horrified.  REZON  retires  into 
the  temple;  the  crowd  melts  away,  wailing: 
TSARPI  is  among  the  first  to  go,  followed  by  her 
attendants,  except  RUAHMAH,  who  crouches, 
with  her  face  covered,  not  far  from  NAAMAN.] 

BENHADAD:  [Lingering  and  turning  back.] 
Alas,  my  son!     O  Naaman,  my  son! 

Why  did  I  let  thee  go  ?    Thou  art  cast  out 

Irrevocably  from  the  city's  life 

Which  thou  hast  saved.     Who  can  resist  the  gods  ? 

I  must  obey  the  law,  and  touch  thy  hand 

Never  again.     Yet  none  shall  take  from  thee 

Thy  glorious  title,  captain  of  my  host! 

I  will  provide  for  thee,  and  thou  shalt  dwell 

With  guards  of  honour  in  a  house  of  mine 

Always.     Damascus  never  shall  forget 

What  thou  hast  done!     O  miserable  words 

Of  crowned  impotence!   O  mockery  of  power 

Given  to  kings,  who  cannot  even  defend 


ACT  ii.]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  59 

Their  dearest  from  the  secret  wrath  of  heaven  1 
Naaman,  my  son,  my  son!     [Exit.] 

NAAMAN:   [Slowly,  passing  his  hand  over  his  eyes,  and 
looking  up.] 

Am  I  alone 

With  thee,  inexorable  one,  whose  pride 

Offended  takes  this  horrible  revenge? 

I  must  submit  my  mortal  flesh  to  thee, 

Almighty,  but  I  will  not  call  thee  god! 

Yet  thou  hast  found  the  way  to  wound  my  soul 

Most  deeply  through  the  flesh;   and  I  must  find 

The  way  to  let  my  wounded  soul  escape ! 

[Drawing  his  sword.] 

Come,  my  last  friend,  thou  art  more  merciful 
Than  Rimmon.     Why  should  I  endure  the  doom 
He  sends  me  ?     Irretrievably  cut  off 
From  all  dear  intercourse  of  human  love, 
From  all  the  tender  touch  of  human  hands, 


60  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [ACT  n. 

From  all  brave  comradeship  with  brother-men, 
With  eyes  that  see  no  faces  through  this  dark, 
With  ears  that  hear  all  voices  far  away, 
Why  should  I  cling  to  misery,  and  grope 
My  long,  long  way  from  pain  to  pain,  alone  ? 

RUAHMAH:  [At  his  feet.] 

Nay,  not  alone,  dear  lord,  for  I  am  here; 

And  I  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee ! 

NAAMAN: 

What  voice  is  that?    The  silence  of  my  tomb 

Is  broken  by  a  ray  of  music, — whose  ? 

RUAHMAH:  [Rising.] 

The  one  who  loves  thee  best  in  all  the  world. 

NAAMAN: 

Why  that  should  be, — O  dare  I  dream  it  true? 

Tsarpi,  my  wife?    Have  I  misjudged  thy  heart 
As  cold  and  proud?    How  nobly  thou  forgivest! 
Thou  com'st  to  hold  me  from  the  last  disgrace, — 
The  coward's  flight  into  the  dark.     Go  back 


ACT  ii.]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  61 

Unstained,  my  sword!    Life  is  endurable 
While  there  is  one  alive  on  earth  who  loves  us. 

RUAHMAH: 

My  lord, — my  lord, — O  listen!    You  have  erred, — 

You  do  mistake  me  now, — this  dream — 

NAAMAN: 

Ah,  wake  me  not!    For  I  can  conquer  death 

Dreaming  this  dream.   Let  me  at  last  believe, 
Though  gods  are  cruel,  a  woman  can  be  kind. 
Grant  me  but  this!   For  see, — I  ask  so  little, — 
Only  to  know  that  thou  art  faithful, — 
Only  to  lean  upon  the  thought  that  thou, 
My  wife,  art  near  me,  though  I  touch  thee  not, — 
O  this  will  hold  me  up,  though  it  be  given 
From  pity  more  than  love. 

RUAHMAH:  [Trembling,  and  speaking  slowly.] 
Not  so,  my  lord ! 

My  pity  is  a  stream;  my  pride  of  thee 
Is  like  the  sea  that  doth  engulf  the  stream; 


62  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [Acxii. 

My  love  for  thee  is  like  the  sovran  moon 
That  rules  the  sea.    The  tides  that  fill  my  soul 
Flow  unto  thee  and  follow  after  thee; 
And  where  thou  goest  I  will  go;  and  where 
Thou  diest  I  will  die, — in  the  same  hour. 

[She  lays  her  hand  on  his   arm.    He  draws 
back.} 

NAAMAN: 

O  touch  me  not!     Thou  shalt  not  share  my  doom. 

RUAHMAH: 

Entreat  me  not  to  go.     I  will  obey 

In  all  but  this;  but  rob  me  not  of  this, — 

The  only  boon  that  makes  life  worth  the  living, — 

To  walk  beside  thee  day  by  day,  and  keep 

Thy  foot  from  stumbling;  to  prepare  thy  food 

When  thou  art  hungry,  music  for  thy  rest, 

And  cheerful  words  to  comfort  thy  black  hour; 

And  so  to  lead  thee  ever  on,  and  on, 

Through  darkness,  till  we  find  the  door  of  hope. 


I 


ACT  n.i  THE,  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  63 

NAAMAN: 

What  word  is  that  ?    The  leper  has  no  hope. 

RUAHMAH: 

Dear  lord,  the  mark  upon  thy  brow  is  yet 

No  broader  than  my  little  finger-nail. 

Thy  force  is  not  abated,  and  thy  step 

Is  firm.     Wilt  thou  surrender  to  the  enemy 

Before  thy  strength  is  touched  ?    Why,  let  me  put 

A  drop  of  courage  from  my  breast  in  thine. 

There  is  a  hope  for  thee.     The  captive  maid 

Of  Israel  who  dwelt  within  thy  house 

Knew  of  a  god  very  compassionate, 

Long-suffering,  slow  to  anger,  one  who  heals 

The  sick,  hath  pity  on  the  fatherless, 

And  saves  the  poor  and  him  who  has  no  helper. 

His  prophet  dwells  nigh  to  Samaria; 

And  I  have  heard  that  he  hath  brought  the  dead 

To  life  again.     We'll  go  to  him.     The  King, 


64  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [ACT  n. 

If  I  beseech  him,  will  appoint  a  guard 
Of  thine  own  soldiers  and  Saballidin, 
Thy  friend,  to  convoy  us  upon  our  journey. 
He'll  give  us  royal  letters  to  the  king 
Of  Israel  to  make  our  welcome  sure; 
And  we  will  take  the  open  road,  beneath 
The  open  sky,  to-morrow,  and  go  on 
Together  till  we  find  the  door  of  hope. 
Come,  come  with  me! 

[She  grasps  his  hand] 

NAAMAN:  [Drawing  back] 
Thou  must  not  touch  me! 

RUAHMAH:  [Unclasping  her  girdle  and  putting  the  end  in 
hand] 

Take  my  girdle,  then! 

NAAMAN:   [Kissing  the  clasp  of  the  girdle] 
I  do  begin  to  think  there  is  a  God, 

Since  love  on  earth  can  work  such  miracles! 
CURTAIN. 


ACT  III 


ACT  III 
TIME:    A  month  later:  dawn 

SCENE  I 

NAAMAN'S  tent,  on  high  ground  among  the  mountains  near 
Samaria:  the  city  below.  In  the  distance,  a  wide  and 
splendid  landscape.  SABALLIDIN  and  soldiers  on  guard 
below  the  tent.  Enter  RUAHMAH  in  hunter's  dress,  with 
a  lyre  slung  from  her  shoulder. 

RUAHMAH: 

Peace  and  good  health  to  you,  Saballidin. 

Good  morrow  to  you  all.     How  fares  my  lord? 

SABALLIDIN: 

The  curtains  of  his  tent  are  folded  still: 

They  have  not  moved  since  we  returned,  last  night, 
And  told  him  what  befell  us  in  the  city. 

RUAHMAH: 

Told  him!     Why  did  you  make  report  to  him 

And  not  to  me  ?     Am  I  not  captain  here, 
Intrusted  by  the  King's  command  with  care 

Of  Naaman's  life,  until  he  is  restored  ? 
67 


68  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON   [ACT  in.  Sc.  i. 

'Tis  mine  to  know  the  first  of  good  or  ill 
In  this  adventure:  mine  to  shield  his  heart 
From  every  arrow  of  adversity. 
What  have  you  told  him?    Speak! 

SABALLIDIN: 

Lady,  we  feared 

To  bring  our  news  to  you.     For  when  the  king 
Of  Israel  had  read  our  monarch's  letter, 
He  rent  his  clothes,  and  cried,  "  Am  I  a  god, 
To  kill  and  make  alive,  that  I  should  heal 
A  leper  ?    Ye  have  come  with  false  pretence, 
Damascus  seeks  a  quarrel  with  me.     Go!" 
But  when  we  told  our  lord,  he  closed  his  tent, 
And  there  remains  enfolded  in  his  grief. 
I  trust  he  sleeps;   't  were  kind  to  let  him  sleep! 
For  now  he  doth  forget  his  misery, 
And  all  the  burden  of  his  hopeless  woe 
Is  lifted  from  him  by  the  gentle  hand 


ACT  in.  sc.  i.i   THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  69 

Of  slumber.     Oh,  to  those  bereft  of  hope 
Sleep  is  the  only  blessing  left, — the  last 
Asylum  of  the  weary,  the  one  sign 
Of  pity  from  impenetrable  heaven. 
Waking  is  strife :  sleep  is  the  truce  of  God ! 
Ah,  lady,  wake  him  not.     The  day  will  be 
Full  long  for  him  to  suffer,  and  for  us 
To  turn  our  disappointed  faces  home 
On  the  long  road  by  which  we  must  return. 

RUAHMAH: 

Return !     Who  gave  you  that  command  ?     Not  I ! 

The  King  made  me  the  leader  of  this  quest, 
And  bound  you  all  to  follow  me,  because 
He  knew  I  never  would  return  without 
The  thing  for  which  he  sent  us.     I'll  go  on 
Day  after  day,  unto  the  uttermost  parts 
Of  earth,  if  need  be,  and  beyond  the  gates 
Of  morning,  till  I  find  that  which  I  seek, — 


70  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON   [ACT  in.  sc.  i. 

New  life  for  Naaman.     Are  ye  ashamed 

To  have  a  woman  lead  you  ?    Then  go  back 

And  tell  the  King,  "  This  huntress  went  too  far 

For  us  to  follow:  she  pursues  the  trail 

Of  hope  alone,  refusing  to  forsake 

The  quarry:  we  grew  weary  of  the  chase; 

And  so  we  left  her  and  retraced  our  steps, 

Like  faithless  hounds,  to  sleep  beside  the  fire." 

Did  Naaman  forsake  his  soldiers  thus 

When  you  went  forth  to  hunt  the  Assyrian  Bull  ? 

Your  manly  courage  is  less  durable 

Than  woman's  love,  it  seems.     Go,  if  you  will, — 

Who  bids  me  now  farewell  ? 

SOLDIERS: 

Not  I,  not  I! 

SABALLIDIN: 

Lady,  lead  on,  we'll  follow  you  for  ever! 

RUAHMAH: 

Why,  now  you  speak  like  men !   Brought  you  no  word 


ACT  m.  sc.  I.]    THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  71 

Out  of  Samaria,  except  that  cry 

Of  impotence  and  fear  from  Israel's  king  ? 

SABALLIDIN: 

I  do  remember  while  he  spoke  with  us 

A  rustic  messenger  came  in,  and  cried 
"  Elisha  saith,  let  Naaman  come  to  me 
At  Dothan,  he  shall  surely  know  there  is 
A  God  in  Israel." 

RUAHMAH: 

What  said  the  King? 

SABALLIDIN: 

He  only  shouted  "Go!"  more  wildly  yet, 

And  rent  his  clothes  again,  as  if  he  were 

Half -maddened  by  a  coward's  fear,  and  thought 

Only  of  how  he  might  be  rid  of  us. 

What  comfort  could  there  be  for  him,  what  hope 

For  us,  in  the  rude  prophet's  misty  word  ? 

RUAHMAH: 

It  is  the  very  word  for  which  I  prayed! 


72  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON   [ACT  in.  Sc.i. 

My  trust  was  not  in  princes;  for  the  crown, 
The  sceptre,  and  the  purple  robe  are  not 
Significant  of  vital  power.     The  man 
Who  saves  his  brother-men  is  he  who  lives 
His  life  with  Nature,  takes  deep  hold  on  truth, 
And  trusts  in  God.    A  prophet's  word  is  more 
Than  all  the  kings  on  earth  can  speak.     How  far 
Is  Dothan  ? 

SOLDIER: 

Lady,  'tis  but  three  hours'  ride 

Along  the  valley  northward. 

RUAHMAH: 

Near!  so  near? 

I  had  not  thought  to  end  my  task  so  soon ! 
Prepare  yourselves  with  speed  to  take  the  road. 
I  will  awake  my  lord. 

[Exeunt  all  but  SABALLIDIN   and  RUAHMAH. 
She  goes  toward  the  tent.] 

SABALLIDIN: 

Ruahmah,  stay!   [She  turns  back.] 


ACT  m.  sc.  I.]    THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  73 

I've  been  your  servant  in  this  doubtful  quest, 
Obedient,  faithful,  loyal  to  your  will, — 
What  have  I  earned  by  this  ? 

RUAHMAH: 

The  gratitude 

Of  him  we  both  desire  to  serve :  your  friend, — 
My  master  and  my  lord. 

SABALLIDIN  : 

No  more  than  this  ? 

RUAHMAH: 

Yes,  if  you  will,  take  all  the  thanks  my  hands 

Can  hold,  my  lips  can  speak. 

SABALLIDIN: 

I  would  have  more. 

RUAHMAH: 

My  friend,  there's  nothing  more  to  give  to  you. 

My  service  to  my  lord  is  absolute. 
There's  not  a  drop  of  blood  within  my  veins 
But  quickens  at  the  very  thought  of  him; 
And  not  a  dream  of  mine  but  he  doth  stand 


74  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON   [ACT  in.  Sc.  I. 

Within  its  heart  and  make  it  bright.     No  man 
To  me  is  other  than  his  friend  or  foe. 
You  are  his  friend,  and  I  believe  you  true ! 

SABALLIDIN: 

I  have  been  true  to  him, — now,  I  am  true 

To  you. 

RUAHMAH: 

And  therefore  doubly  true  to  him! 

O  let  us  match  our  loyalties,  and  strive 
Between  us  who  shall  win  the  higher  crown! 
Men  boast  them  of  a  friendship  stronger  far 
Than  love  of  woman.     Prove  it!     I'll  not  boast, 
But  I'll  contend  with  you  on  equal  terms 
In  this  brave  race:  and  if  you  win  the  prize 
I'll  hold  you  next  to  him:  and  if  I  win 
He'll  hold  you  next  to  me;  and  either  way 
We'll  not  be  far  apart.     Do  you  accept 
My  challenge  ? 


ACT  m.  sc.  i.]   THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  75 

SABALLIDIN: 

Yes !     For  you  enforce  my  heart 

By  honour  to  resign  its  great  desire, 

And  love  itself  to  offer  sacrifice 

Of  all  disloyal  dreams  on  its  own  altar. 

Yet  love  remains;  therefore  I  pray  you,  think 

How  surely  you  must  lose  in  our  contention. 

For  I  am  known  to  Naaman :  but  you 

He  blindly  takes  for  Tsarpi.     'Tis  to  her 

He  gives  his  gratitude :  the  praise  you  win 

Endears  her  name. 

RUAHMAH: 

Her  name  ?    Why,  what  is  that  ? 

A  name  is  but  an  empty  shell,  a  mask 
That  does  not  change  the  features  of  the  face 
Beneath  it.     Can  a  name  rejoice,  or  weep, 
Or  hope  ?     Can  it  be  moved  by  tenderness 
To  daily  services  of  love,  or  feel  the  warmth 
Of  dear  companionship  ?    How  many  things 


76  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON   [ACT  m.  Sc.  i. 

We  call  by  names  that  have  no  meaning:  kings 

That  cannot  rule;    and  gods  that  are  not  good; 

And  wives  that  do  not  love !    It  matters  not 

What  syllables  he  utters  when  he  calls, 

'Tis  I  who  come, — 'tis  I  who  minister 

Unto  my  lord,  and  mine  the  living  heart 

That  feels  the  comfort  of  his  confidence, 

The  thrill  of  gladness  when  he  speaks  to  me, — 

I  do  not  hear  the  name! 

SABALLIDIN: 

And  yet,  be  sure 

There's  danger  in  this  error, — and  no  gain! 

RUAHMAH: 

I  seek  no  gain:  I  only  tread  the  path 

Marked  for  me  daily  by  the  hand  of  love. 
And  if  his  blindness  spared  my  lord  one  pang 
Of  sorrow  in  his  black,  forsaken  hour, — 
And  if  this  error  makes  his  burdened  heart 
More  quiet,  and  his  shadowed  way  less  dark, 


ACT  m.  sc.  i.]   THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  77 

Whom  do  I  rob  ?    Not  her  who  chose  to  stay 
At  ease  in  Rimmon's  House !   Surely  not  him ! 
Only  myself!    And  that  enriches  me. 
Why  trouble  we  the  master  ?    Let  it  go, — 
To-morrow  he  must  know  the  truth, — and  then 
He  shall  dispose  of  me  e'en  as  he  will! 

SABALLIDIN: 

To-morrow  ? 

RUAHMAH: 

Yes,  for  I  will  tarry  here, 

While  you  conduct  him  to  Elisha's  house 

To  find  the  promised  healing.     I  forebode 

A  sudden  danger  from  the  craven  king 

Of  Israel,  or  else  a  secret  ambush 

From  those  who  hate  us  in  Damascus.     Go, 

But  leave  me  twenty  men:    this  mountain-pass 

Protects  the  road  behind  you.   Make  my  lord 

Obey  the  prophet's  word,  whatever  he  commands, 

And  come  again  in  peace.     Farewell! 


78  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON   [ACT  m.  Sc.  i. 

[Exit  SABALLIDIN.  RUAHMAH  goes  toward  the 
tent,  then  pauses  and  turns  back.  She  takes 
her  lyre  and  sings.] 

SONG. 

Above  the  edge  of  dark  appear  the  lances  of  the  sun; 
Along  the  mountain-ridges  clear  his  rosy  heralds  run; 

The  vapours  down  the  valley  go 

Like  broken  armies,  dark  and  low. 

Look  up,  my  heart,  from  every  hill 

Infolds  of  rose  and  daffodil 

The  sunrise  banners  flow. 

O  fly  away  on  silent  wing,  ye  boding  owls  of  night! 
O  welcome  little  birds  that  sing  the  coming-in  of  light! 

For  new,  and  new,  and  ever-new, 

The  golden  bud  within  the  blue  ; 

And  every  morning  seems  to  say: 

"  There's  something  happy  on  the  way, 

"  And  God  sends  love  to  you!" 


ACT  in.  sc.  i.]    THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  79 

NAAMAN  :     [A  ppearing  at  the  entrance  of  his  tent.] 
O  let  me  ever  wake  to  music !     For  the  soul 

Returns  most  gently  then,  and  finds  its  way 

By  the  soft,  winding  clue  of  melody, 

Out  of  the  dusky  labyrinth  of  sleep, 

Into  the  light.     My  body  feels  the  sun 

Though  I  behold  naught  that  his  rays  reveal. 

Come,  thou  who  art  my  daydawn  and  my  sight, 

Sweet  eyes,  come  close,  and  make  the  sunrise  mine! 

RUAHMAH:  [Coming  near.] 

A  fairer  day,  dear  lord,  was  never  born 

In  Paradise!     The  sapphire  cup  of  heaven 
Is  rilled  with  golden  wine:  the  earth,  adorned 
With  jewel-drops  of  dew,  unveils  her  face 
A  joyful  bride,  in  welcome  to  her  king. 
And  look!     He  leaps  upon  the  Eastern  hills 
All  ruddy  fire,  and  claims  her  with  a  kiss. 
Yonder  the  snowy  peaks  of  Hermon  float 


8o  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON   [ACT  HI.  sc.i. 

i 

Unmoving  as  a  wind-dropt  cloud.    The  gulf 
Of  Jordan,  filled  with  violet  haze,  conceals 
The  river's  winding  trail  with  wreaths  of  mist. 
Below  us,  marble-crowned  Samaria  thrones 
Upon  her  emerald  hill  amid  the  Vale 
Of  Barley,  while  the  plains  to  northward  change 
Their  colour  like  the  shimmering  necks  of  doves. 
The  lark  springs  up,  with  morning  on  her  wings, 
To  climb  her  singing  stairway  in  the  blue, 
And  all  the  fields  are  sprinkled  with  her  joy! 

NAAMAN: 

Thy  voice  is  magical:  thy  words  are  visions! 

I  must  content  myself  with  them,  for  now 

My  only  hope  is  lost:  Samaria's  king 

Rejects  our  monarch's  message, — hast  thou  heard? 

"Am  I  a  god  that  I  should  cure  a  leper?" 

He  sends  me  home  unhealed,  with  angry  words, 

Back  to  Damascus  and  the  lingering  death. 


ACT  m.  sc.i.]   THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  81 

RUAHMAH: 

What  matter  where  he  sends  ?    No  god  is  he 

To  slay  or  make  alive.     Elisha  bids 

You  come  to  him  at  Dothan,  there  to  learn 

There  is  a  God  in  Israel. 

NAAMAN: 

I  fear 

That  I  am  grown  mistrustful  of  all  gods; 
Their  secret  counsels  are  implacable. 

RUAHMAH: 

Fear  not!    There's  One  who  rules  in  righteousness 

High  over  all. 

NAAMAN: 

What  knowest  thou  of  Him? 

RUAHMAH: 

Oh,  I  have  heard, — the  maid  of  Israel, — 

Rememberest  thou  ?    She  often  said  her  God 
Was  merciful  and  kind,  and  slow  to  wrath, 
And  plenteous  in  forgiveness,  pitying  us 
Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children. 


82  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON   [ACT  in.  sc.  I. 

NAAMAN: 

If  there  were  such  a  God,  I'd  worship  Him 

For  ever! 

RUAHMAH: 

Then  make  haste  to  hear  the  word 

His  prophet  promises  to  speak  to  thee! 
Obey  it,  my  dear  lor<|,  and  thou  shalt  lose 
This  curse  that  burdens  thee.     This  tiny  spot 
Of  white  that  mars  the  beauty  of  thy  brow 
Shall  melt  like  snow;  thine  eyes  be  filled  with  light. 
Thou  wilt  not  need  my  leading  any  more, — 
Nor  me, — for  thou  wilt  see  me,  all  unveiled, — 
I  tremble  at  the  thought. 

NAAMAN: 

Why,  what  is  this  ? 

Why  shouldst  thou  tremble?    Art  thou  not  mine 
own? 

RUAHMAH:  [Turning  to  him.] 

Surely  I  am!    But  take  me,  take  me  now! 

For  I  belong  to  thee  in  body  and  soul; 


ACT  m.  sc.  I.]    THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  83 

The  very  pulses  of  my  heart  are  thine. 

Wilt  thou  not  feel  how  tenderly  they  beat  ? 

Wilt  thou  not  lie  like  myrrh  between  my  breasts 

And  satisfy  thy  lonely  lips  with  love  ? 

Thou  art  opprest,  and  I  would  comfort  thee 

While  yet  thy  sorrow  weighs  upon  thy  life. 

To-morrow?     No,  to-day!     The  crown  of  love 

Is  sacrifice;  I  have  not  given  thee 

Enough!     Ah,  fold  me  in  thine  arms, — take  all! 

[She  takes  his  hands  and  puts  them  around 
her  neck;  he  holds  her  from  him,  with  one 
hand  on  her  shoulder,  the  other  behind  her 
head.] 

NA AM AN : 

Thou  art  too  dear  to  injure  with  a  kiss, — 

Too  dear  for  me  to  stain  thy  purity, 
Or  leave  one  touch  upon  thee  to  regret! 
How  should  I  take  a  gift  may  bankrupt  thee, 
Or  drain  the  fragrant  chalice  of  thy  love 


84  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON   [ACT  HI.  Sc.  i. 

With  lips  that  may  be  fatal  ?    Tempt  me  not 
To  sweet  dishonour;   strengthen  me  to  wait 
Until  thy  prophecy  is  all  fulfilled, 
And  I  can  claim  thee  with  a  joyful  heart. 

RUAHMAH:  [Turning  away.] 

Thou  wilt  not  need  me  then, — and  I  shall  be 

No  more  than  the  faint  echo  of  a  song 

Heard  half  asleep.    We  shall  go  back  to  where 

We  stood  before  this  journey. 

NAAMAN: 

Never  again! 

For  thou  art  changed  by  some  deep  miracle. 

The  flower  of  womanhood  hath  bloomed  in  thee, — 

Art  thou  not  changed? 

RUAHMAH: 

Yea,  I  am  changed, — and  changed 

Again, — bewildered, — till  there's  nothing  clear 
To  me  but  this:  I  am  the  instrument 
In  an  Almighty  hand  to  rescue  thee 


ACT  m.  sc.  n.i  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  85 

From  death.    This  will  I  do, — and  afterward — 

[A  trumpet  is  blown,  without.] 
Hearken,  the  trumpet  sounds,  the  chariot  waits. 
Away,  dear  lord,  follow  the  road  to  light! 

SCENE  II.* 

The  house  ofElisha,  upon  a  terraced  hillside.  A  low  stone 
cottage  with  vine-trellises  and  flowers  ;  a  flight  of  steps, 
at  the  foot  of  which  is  NAAMAN'S  chariot.  He  is  stand 
ing  in  it;  SABALLIDIN  beside  it.  Two  soldiers  come 
down  the  steps. 

FIRST  SOLDIER: 

We  have    delivered   my   lord's    greeting  and   his 

message. 

SECOND  SOLDIER: 

Yes,  and  near  lost  our  noses  in  the  doing  of  it! 

For  the  servant  slammed  the  door  in  our  faces. 
A  most  unmannerly  reception! 

*Note  that  this  scene  is  not  intended  to  be  put  upon  the  stage, 
the  effect  of  the  action  upon  the  drama  being  given  at  the  begin 
ning  of  Act  IV. 


86  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [ACT  in.  Sc.  n. 

FIRST  SOLDIER: 

But  I  take  that  as  a  good  omen.     It  is  mark  of  holy 

men  to  keep  ill-conditioned  servants.     Look,  the 
door  opens,  the  prophet  is  coming. 

SECOND  SOLDIER: 

No,  by  my  head,    it's  that   notable  mark   of    his 

master's  holiness,  that  same  lantern-jawed  lout 
of  a  servant. 

[GEHAZI  loiters  down  the  steps  and  comes  to 
NAAMAN  with  a  slight  obeisance.] 

GEHAZI: 

My  master,  the  prophet  of  Israel,  sends  word  to 

Naaman  the  Syrian, — are  you  he  ? — "  Go  wash  in 
Jordan  seven  times  and  be  healed." 
[GEHAZI  turns  and  goes  slowly  up  the  steps.] 

NAAMAN  : 

What  insolence  is  this  ?     Am  I  a  man 

To  be  put  off  with  surly  messengers  ? 
Has  not  Damascus  rivers  more  renowned 


ACT  m.  sc.ii.i  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  87 

Than  this  rude,  torrent  Jordan?     Crystal  streams, 
Abana!     Pharpar!  flowing  smoothly  through 
A  paradise  of  roses?     Might  I  not 
Have  bathed  in  them  and  been  restored  at  ease? 
Come  up,  Saballidin,  and  guide  me  home! 

SABALLIDIN  : 

Bethink  thee,  master,  shall  we  lose  our  quest 

Because  a  servant  is  uncouth  ?    The  road 

That  seeks  the  mountain  leads  us  through  the  vale. 

The  prophet's  word  is  friendly  after  all; 

For  had  it  been  some  mighty  task  he  set, 

Thou  wouldst  perform  it.     How  much  rather  then 

This  easy  one  ?    Hast  thou  not  promised  her 

Who  waits  for  thy  return  ?   Wilt  thou  go  back 

To  her  unhealed  ? 

NAAMAN: 

No!  not  for  all  my  pride! 

I'll  make  myself  most  humble  for  her  sake, 
And  stoop  to  anything  that  gives  me  hope 


88  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [ACT  in.  Sc.  n. 

Of  having  her.    Make  haste,  Saballidin, 
Bring  me  to  Jordan.     I  will  cast  myself 
Into  that  river's  turbulent  embrace 
A  hundred  times,  until  I  save  my  life 
Or  lose  it! 

[Exeunt.  The  light  fades:  musical  interlude. 
The  light  increases  again  with  ruddy  sunset 
shining  on  the  the  door  of  ELISHA'S  house. 
The  prophet  appears  and  looks  of,  shading  his 
eyes  with  his  hand  as  he  descends  the  steps 
slowly.  Trumpet  blows, — NAAMAN'S  call; — 
sound  of  horses  galloping  and  men  shouting. 
NAAMAN  enters  joyously,  followed  by  SABALLI 
DIN  and  soldiers,  with  gifts.] 

NAAMAN: 

Behold  a  man  delivered  from  the  grave 

By  thee!    I  rose  from  Jordan's  waves  restored 
To  youth  and  vigour,  as  the  eagle  mounts 
Upon  the  sunbeam  and  renews  his  strength! 
O  mighty  prophet  deign  to  take  from  me 


ACT  III.  Sc.ll.]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  89 

These  gifts  too  poor  to  speak  my  gratitude; 
Silver  and  gold  and  jewels,  damask  robes, — 

ELISHA  :  [Interrupting.] 

As  thy  soul  liveth  I  will  not  receive 

A  gift  from  thee,  my  son !     Give  all  to  Him 

Whose  mercy  hath  redeemed  thee  from  thy  plague. 

NAAMAN: 

He  is  the  only  God !     I  worship  Him! 

Grant  me  a  portion  of  the  blessed  soil 

Of  this  most  favoured  land  where  I  have  found 

His  mercy;  in  Damascus  will  I  build 

An  altar  to  His  name,  and  praise  Him  there 

Morning  and  night.     There  is  no  other  God 

In  all  the  world. 

ELISHA: 

Thou  needest  not 

This  load  of  earth  to  build  a  shrine  for  Him; 
Yet  take  it  if  thou  wilt.     But  be  assured 
God's  altar  is  in  every  loyal  heart, 


90  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [ACT  in.  Sc.  n. 

And  every  flame  of  love  that  kindles  there 
Ascends  to  Him  and  brightens  with  His  praise. 
There  is  no  other  God!     But  evil  Powers 
Make  war  against  Him  in  the  darkened  world; 
And  many  temples  have  been  built  to  them. 

NAAMAN  : 

I  know  them  well !     Yet  when  my  master  goes 

To  worship  in  the  House  of  Rimmon,  I 
Must  enter  with  him ;  for  he  trusts  me,  leans 
Upon  my  hand;  and  when  he  bows  himself 
I  cannot  help  but  make  obeisance  too, — 
But  not  to  Rimmon !     To  my  country's  king 
I'll  bow  in  love  and  honour.     Will  the  Lord 
Pardon  thy  servant  in  this  thing  ? 

ELISHA: 

My  son, 

Peace  has  been  granted  thee.     'Tis  thine  to  find 
The  only  way  to  keep  it.     Go  in  peace. 


ACT  m.  sc.n.]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  91 

NAAMAN: 

Thou  hast  not  answered  me, — may  I  bow  down? 

ELISHA  : 

The  answer  must  be  thine.     The  heart  that  knows 

The  perfect  peace  of  gratitude  and  love, 
Walks  in  the  light  and  needs  no  other  rule. 
Take  counsel  with  thy  heart  and  go  in  peace ! 
CURTAIN. 


ACT  IV 


ACT  IV 

SCENE  I 

The  interior  O/NAAMAN'S  tent,  at  night.  RUAHMAH  alone, 
sleeping  on  the  ground.  A  vision  appears  to  her  through 
the  curtains  of  the  tent :  ELISHA  standing  on  the  hillside 
at  Dothan:  NAAMAN,  restored  to  sight,  comes  in  and 
kneels  before  him.  ELISHA  blesses  him,  and  he  goes  out 
rejoicing.  The  vision  of  the  prophet  turns  to  RUAHMAH 
and  lifts  his  hand  in  warning. 

ELISHA: 

Daughter  of  Israel,  what  dost  thou  here  ? 

Thy  prayer  is  granted.     Naaman  is  healed: 

Mar  not  true  service  with  a  selfish  thought. 

Nothing  remains  for  thee  to  do,  except 

Give  thanks,  and  go  whither  the  Lord  commands. 

Obey, — obey!     Ere  Naaman  returns 

Thou  must  depart  to  thine  own  house  in  Shechem. 

[The  vision  vanishes.] 
RUAHMAH:  [Waking  and  rising  slowly.] 

A  dream,  a  dream,  a  messenger  of  God! 
95 


96  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON    [Acriv.  sc.i. 

O  dear  and  dreadful  vision,  art  thou  true? 
Then  am  I  glad  with  all  my  broken  heart. 
Nothing  remains,— nothing  remains  but  this, — 
Give  thanks,  obey,  depart,— and  so  I  do. 
Farewell,  my  master's  sword!    Farewell  to  you, 
My  amulet!    I  lay  you  on  the  hilt 
His  hand  shall  clasp  again:  bid  him  farewell 
For  me,  since  I  must  look  upon  his  face 
No  more  for  ever! — Hark,  what  sound  was  that? 
[Enter  soldier  hurriedly.] 

SOLDIER: 

Mistress,  an  armeM  troop,  footmen  and  horse, 

Mounting  the  hill! 

RUAHMAH: 

My  lord  returns  in  triumph. 

SOLDIER: 

Not  so,  for  these  are  enemies;  they  march 

In  haste  and  silence,  answering  not  our  cries. 

RUAHMAH: 

Our  enemies  ?    Then  hold  your  ground, — on  guard! 


ACT  iv.  sc.  I.]    THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  97 

Fight!    fight!    Defend  the  pass,   and  drive  them 
down. 

[Exit  soldier.  RUAHMAH  draws  NAAMAN'S 
sword  from  the  scabbard  and  hurries  out  of 
the  tent.  Confused  noise  of  fighting  outside. 
Three  or  four  soldiers  are  driven  in  by  a 
troop  of  men  in  disguise.  RUAHMAH  follows : 
she  is  beaten  to  her  knees,  and  her  sword  is 
broken.] 

REZON:        [Throwing  aside  the  cloth  which  covers  his 

face.} 
Hold  her!     So,  tiger-maid,  we've  found  your  lair 

And  trapped  you.     Where  is  Naaman, 
Your  master? 

RUAHMAH:  [Rising,  her  arms  held  by  two  of  REZON'S  fol 
lowers.] 

He  is  far  beyond  your  reach. 

REZON: 

Brave  captain!    He  has  saved  himself,  the  leper, 


And  left  you  here  ? 
RUAHMAH: 


The  leper  is  no  more. 


9&  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON    [Acriv.  Sc.i. 

REZON: 

What  mean  you  ? 

RUAHMAH: 

He  has  gone  to  meet  his  God. 

REZON: 

Dead?    Dead?    Behold  how  Rimmon's  wrath  is 

swift! 

Damascus  shall  be  mine:  I'll  terrify 
The  King  with  this,  and 'make  my  terms.    But  no! 
False  maid,  you  sweet-faced  harlot,  you  have  lied 
To  save  him, — speak. 

RUAHMAH: 

I  am  not  what  you  say, 

Nor  have  I  lied,  nor  will  I  ever  speak 

A  word  to  you,  vile  servant  of  a  traitor-god. 

REZON: 

Break  off  this  little  flute  of  blasphemy, 

This  ivory  neck, — twist  it,  I  say! 

Give  her  a  swift  despatch  after  her  leper! 

But  stay,— if  he  still  lives  he'll  follow  her, 


ACT  iv.  sc.  i.]    THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  99 

And  so  we  may  ensnare  him.     Harm  her  not! 
Bind  her!     Away  with  her  to  Rimmon's  House! 
Is  all  this  carrion  dead  ?   There's  one  that  moves, — 
A  spear, — fasten  him  down!     All  quiet  now  ? 
Then  back  to  our  Damascus!     Rimmon's  face 
Shall  be  made  bright  with  sacrifice. 

[Exeunt,  forcing  RUAHMAH  with  them.  Musical 
interlude.  A  wounded  soldier  crawls  from  a 
dark  corner  of  the  tent  and  finds  the  chain 
with  NAAMAN'S  seal,  which  has  fallen  to  the 
ground  in  the  struggle.] 

WOUNDED  SOLDIER  : 

This  signet  of  my  lord,  her  amulet! 

Lost,  lost!     Ah,  noble  lady, — let  me  die 
With  this  upon  my  breast. 

[The  tent  is  dark.  Enter  NAAMAN  and  his  com 
pany  in  haste,  with  torches.] 

NAAMAN: 

What  bloody  work 

Is  here  ?     God,  let  me  live  to  punish  him 


ioo  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON    [Acriv.  Sc.i. 

Who  wrought  this  horror!    Treacherously  slain 
At  night,  by  unknown  hands,  my  brave  companions: 
Tsarpi,  my  best  beloved,  light  of  my  soul, 
Put  out  in  darkness!     O  my  broken  lamp 
Of  life,  where  art  thou  ?    Nay,  I  cannot  find  her. 

WOUNDED  SOLDIER:  [Raising  himself  on  his  arm.} 
Master! 

NAAMAN:  [Kneels  beside  him.] 

One  living?    Quick,  a  torch  this  way! 

Lift  up  his  head, — so, — carefully! 

Courage,  my  friend,  your  captain  is  beside  you. 

Call  back  your  soul  and  make  report  to  him. 

WOUNDED  SOLDIER: 

Hail,  captain!    O  my  captain,— here! 

NAAMAN: 

Be  patient,— -rest  in  peace,— the  fight  is  done. 

Nothing  remains  but  render  your  account. 

WOUNDED  SOLDIER: 

They  fell  upon  us  suddenly,— we  fought 

Our  fiercest, — every  man, — our  lady  fought 


ACT  iv.  Sc.  I.]    THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  101 

Fiercer  than  all.     They-beat  us  down, — she's  gone. 
Rezon  has  carried  her  away  a  captive.     See, — 
Her  amulet, — I  die  for  you,  my  captain. 

NAAMAN:  [He  gently  lays  the  dead  soldier  on  the  ground, 

and  rises.} 
Farewell.    This  last  report  was  brave;   but  strange 

Beyond  my  thought!    How  came  the  High  Priest 

here? 

And  what  is  this  ?  my  chain,  my  seal !    But  this 
Has  never  been  in  Tsarpi's  hand.     I  gave 
This  signet  to  a  captive  maid  one  night, — 
A  maid  of  Israel.    How  long  ago? 
Ruahmah  was  her  name, — almost  forgotten! 
So  long  ago, — how  comes  this  token  here  ? 
What  is  this  mystery,  Saballidin  ? 

SABALLIDIN: 

Ruahmah  is  her  name  who  brought  you  hither. 

NAAMAN: 

Where  then  is  Tsarpi? 


102  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON    [ACT  iv.  sc.  I. 

SABALLIDIN: 

In  Damascus. 

She  left  you  when  the  curse  of  Rimmon  fell, — 
Took  refuge  in  his  House,— and  there  she  waits 
Her  lord's  return, — Rezon's  return. 

NAAMAN: 

'Tis  false! 

SABALLIDIN  : 

The  falsehood  is  in  her.     She  hath  been  friend 

With  Rezon  in  his  priestly  plot  to  win 
Assyria's  favour, — friend  to  his  design 
To  sell  his  country  to  enrich  his  temple, — 
And  friend  to  him  in  more, — I  will  not  name  it. 

NAAMAN  : 

Nor  will  I  credit  it.     Impossible! 

SABALLIDIN  : 

Did  she  not  plead  with  you  against  the  war, 

Counsel  surrender,  seek  to  break  your  will  ? 

NAAMAN: 

She  did  not  love  my  work,  a  soldier's  task. 


ACT  iv.  sc.  I.]    THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  103 

She  never  seemed  to  be  at  one  with  me 
Until  I  was  a  leper. 

SABALLIDIN: 

From  whose  hand 

Did  you  receive  the  sacred  cup  ? 

NAAMAN : 

From  hers. 

SABALLIDIN: 

And  from  that  hour  the  curse  began  to  work. 

NAAMAN  : 

But  did  she  not  have  pity  when  she  saw 

Me  smitten  ?     Did  she  not  beseech  the  King 
For  letters  and  a  guard  to  make  this  journey  ? 
Has  she  not  been  the  fountain  of  my  hope, 
My  comforter  and  my  most  faithful  guide 
In  this  adventure  of  the  dark  ?    All  this 
Is  proof  of  perfect  love  that  would  have  shared 
A  leper's  doom  rather  than  give  me  up. 
Can  I  doubt  her  who  dared  to  love  like  this  ? 


104  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON    [Acriv.  Sc.i. 

SABALLIDIN: 

O  master,  doubt  her  not, — but  know  her  name; 

Ruahmah!     It  was  she  alone  who  wrought 

This  wondrous  work  of  love.    She  won  the  King 

By  the  strong  pleading  of  resistless  hope 

To  furnish  forth  this  company.    She  led 

Our  march,  kept  us  in  heart,  fought  off  despair, 

Offered  herself  to  you  as  to  her  god, 

Watched  over  you  as  if  you  were  her  child, 

Prepared  your  food,  your  cup,  with  her  own  hands, 

Sang  you  asleep  at  night,  awake  at  dawn, — 

NAAMAN:  [Interrupting.] 

Enough!    I  do  remember  every  hour 

Of  that  sweet  comradeship !    And  now  her  voice 
Wakens  the  echoes  in  my  lonely  breast; 
The  perfume  of  her  presence  fills  my  sense 
With  longing.    All  my  soul  cries  out  in  vain 
For  her  embracing,  satisfying  love, 


ACT  iv.  sc.ii.]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  105 

That  I  may  rest  in  her  and  be  at  peace. 
Shall  I  not  see  her,  thank  her,  speak  her  name  ? 
Ruahmah !    Let  me  live  till  I  have  looked 
Into  her  eyes  and  called  her  my  Ruahmah! 

[To  his  soldiers.] 
Away!  away!  I  burn  to  take  the  road 

That  leads  me  back  to  Rimmon's  House, — 
But  not  to  bow, — by  God,  never  to  bow  I 

TIME:     Three  days  later 
SCENE  II 

Inner  court  of  the  House  of  Rimmon;  a  temple  with  huge 
pillars  at  each  side.  In  the  right  foreground  the  seat  of 
the  King;  at  the  left,  of  equal  height,  the  seat  of  the  High 
Priest.  In  the  background  a  broad  flight  of  steps,  rising 
to  a  curtain  of  cloudy  gray,  embroidered  with  two  gigantic 
hands  holding  thunderbolts.  The  temple  is  in  half  dark 
ness  at  first.  Enter  KHAMMA  and  NUBTA,  robed  as 
Kharimati,  or  religious  dancers,  in  gowns  of  black  gauze 
with  yellow  embroideries  and  mantles. 

KHAMMA: 

All  is  ready  for  the  rites  of  worship;  our  lady  will 


106  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [Acriv.  Sc.  n. 

play  a  great  part  in  them.  She  has  put  on  her 
Tynan  robes,  and  all  her  ornaments. 

NUBTA: 

That  is  a  sure  sign  of  a  religious    purpose.     She 

is  most  devout,  our  lady  Tsarpi! 

KHAMMA: 

A  favourite   of   Rimmon,   too!     The   High   Priest 

has  assured  her  of  it.  He  is  a  great  man, — next 
to  the  King,  now  that  Naaman  is  gone. 

NUBTA: 

But  if  Naaman  should  come  back,  healed  of  the 

leprosy  ? 

KHAMMA: 

How  can  he  come  back?    The  Hebrew  slave  that 

went  away  with  him,  when  they  caught  her,  said 
that  he  was  dead.  The  High  Priest  has  shut 
her  up  in  the  prison  of  the  temple,  accusing  her  of 
her  master's  death. 

NUBTA: 

Yet  I  think  he  does  not  believe  it,  for  I  heard  him 


ACT  iv.  sc.ii.]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  107 

telling  our  mistress  what  to  do  if  Naaman  should 
return. 

KHAMMA: 

What,  then? 

NUBTA: 

She  will  claim  him  as  her  husband.     Was  she  not 

wedded  to  him  before  the  god  ?  That  is  a  sacred 
bond.  Only  the  High  Priest  can  loose  it.  She 
will  keep  her  hold  on  Naaman  for  the  sake  of  the 
House  of  Rimmon.  A  wife  knows  her  husband's 
secrets,  she  can  tell 

[Enter    SHUMAKIM,    with    his  flagon,  walking 
unsteadily.] 

KHAMMA: 

Hush!   here  comes  the   fool   Shumakim.     He   is 

never  sober. 

SHUMAKIM:  [Laughing.] 

Are  there  two  of  you  ?     I  see  two,  but  that  is  no 

proof.     I  think  there  is  only  one,  but  beautiful 


io8  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [ACT  iv.  Sc.  n. 

enough  for  two.     What  were  you  talking  to  your 
self  about,  fairest  one! 

KHAMMA: 

About  the  lady  Tsarpi,  fool,  and  what  she  would 

do  if  her  husband  returned. 

SHUMAKIM: 

Fie!  fie!    That  is   no  talk  for   an   innocent  fool 

to  hear.     Has  she  a  husband  ? 

NUBTA: 

You  know  very  well  that  she  is  the  wife  of  Lord 

Naaman. 

SHUMAKIM: 

I  remember  that  she  used  to  wear  his  name  and  his 

jewels.    But  I  thought  he  had  exchanged  her, — 
for  a  leprosy. 

KHAMMA: 

You  must  have  heard  that  he  went  away  to  Sa 
maria  to  look  for  healing.  Some  say  that  he 
died  on  the  journey;  but  others  say  he  has  been 
cured,  and  is  on  his  way  home  to  his  wife. 


ACT  w.  Sc.n.i  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  109 

SHUMAKIM: 

It  may  be,  for  this  is  a  mad  world,  and  men  never 

know  when  they  are  well  off, — except  us  fools. 
But  he  must  come  soon  if  he  would  find  his  wife 
as  he  parted  from  her, — or  the  city  where  he  left 
it.  The  Assyrians  have  returned  with  a  greater 
army,  and  this  time  they  will  make  an  end  of  us. 
There  is  no  Naaman  now,  and  the  Bull  will  de 
vour  Damascus  like  a  bunch  of  leeks,  flowers 
and  all, — flowers  and  all,  my  double-budded 
fair  one!  Are  you  not  afraid? 

NUBTA: 

We  belong  to  the  House  of  Rimmon.    He  will  pro 
tect  us. 

SHUMAKIM: 

What?     The  mighty  one  who    hides  behind  the 

curtain  there,  and  tells  his  secrets  to  Rezon? 
No  doubt  he  will  take  care  of  you,  and  of  himself. 
Whatever  game  is  played,  the  gods  never  lose. 


no  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [Acriv.  Sc.n. 

But  for  the  protection  of  the  common  people  and 
the  rest  of  us  fools,  I  would  rather  have  Naaman 
at  the  head  of  an  army  than  all  the  sacred  images 
between  here  and  Babylon. 

KHAMMA  : 

You  are  a  wicked  old  man.    You  mock  the  god. 

He  will  punish  you. 

SHUMAKIM:  [Bitterly.} 

How  can  he   punish    me?    Has   he  not  already 

made  me  a  fool  ?  Hark,  here  comes  my  brother 
the  High  Priest,  and  my  brother  the  King.  Rim- 
mon  made  us  all;  but  nobody  knows  who  made 
Rimmon,  except  the  High  Priest;  and  he  will 

never  tell. 

[Gongs  and  cymbals  sound.  Enter  REZON  with 
priests,  and  the  King  with  courtiers.  They 
take  their  seats.  A  throng  of  Khali  and 
Kharimati  come  in,  TSARPI  presiding;  a 
sacred  dance  is  performed  with  torches,  burn 
ing  incense,  and  chanting,  in  which  TSARPI 
leads.} 


ACT iv.  sc.ii.]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  in 

CHANT. 

Hail,  mighty  Rimmon,  ruler  of  the  whirl-stormy 
Hail,  shaker  of  mountains,  breaker-down  of  forests, 
Hail,  thou  who  roarest  terribly  in  the  darkness, 
Hail,  thou  whose  arrows  flame  across  the  heavens! 
Hail,  great  destroyer,  lord  of  flood  and  tempest, 
In  thine  anger  almighty,  in  thy  wrath  eternal, 
Thou  who  delightest  in  ruin,  maker  of  desolations, 
Immeru,  Addu,  Barku,  Rimmon! 
See  we  tremble  before  thee,  low  we  bow  at  thine  altar, 
Have  mercy  upon  us,  be  favourable  unto  us, 
Save  us  from  our  enemy,  accept  our  sacrifice, 
Barku,  Immeru,  Addu,  Rimmon! 

[Silence  follows,  all  bowing  down.} 

REZON: 

O  King,  last  night  the  counsel  from  above 

Was  given  in  answer  to  our  divination. 
Ambassadors  must  go  forthwith  to  crave 


I 

112  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [Acriv.  Sc.  n. 

Assyria's  pardon,  and  a  second  offer 

Of  the  same  terms  of  peace  we  did  reject 

Not  long  ago. 

BENHADAD : 

Dishonour!    Yet  I  see 

No  other  way!    Assyria  will  refuse, 

Or  make  still  harder  terms.     Disaster,  shame 

For  this  gray  head,  and  ruin  for  Damascus! 

REZON: 

Yet  may  we  trust  Rimmon  will  favour  us, 

If  we  adhere  devoutly  to  his  worship. 
He  will  incline  his  brother-god,  the  Bull, 
To  spare  us,  if  we  supplicate  him  now 
With  costly  gifts.     Therefore  I  have  prepared 
A  sacrifice :    Rimmon  shall  be  well  pleased 
With  the  red  blood  that  bathes  his  knees  to-night! 

BENHADAD : 

My  mind  is  dark  with  doubt, — I  do  forebode 

Some  horror!    Let  me  go,— I  am  an  old  man,— 


ACT  iv.  sc.ii.]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  113 

If  Naaman  my  captain  were  alive! 
But  he  is  dead, — the  glory  is  departed! 

[He  rises,  trembling,  to  leave  the  throne.  Trumpet 
sounds, — NAAMAN'S  call; — enter  NAAMAN,  fol 
lowed  by  soldiers;  he  kneels  at  the  foot  of  the 
throne.} 

BENHADAD:  [Half-whispering.] 

Art  thou  a  ghost  escaped  from  Allatu  ? 

How  didst  thou  pass  the  seven  doors  of  death  ? 

O  noble  ghost  I  am  afraid  of  thee, 

And  yet  I  love  thee, — let  me  hear  thy  voice! 

NAAMAN: 

No  ghost,  my  King,  but  one  who  lives  to  serve 

Thee  and  Damascus  with  his  heart  and  sword 
As  in  the  former  days.    The  only  God 
Has  healed  my  leprosy:  my  life  is  clean 
To  offer  to  my  country  and  my  King. 

BENHADAD  :  [Starting  toward  him.] 

O  welcome  to  thy  King!    Thrice  welcome! 


H4  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [Acxiv.  SC.H. 

REZON:  [Leaving  his  seat  and  coming  toward  NAAMAN.] 

Stay! 

The  leper  must  appear  before  the  priest, 
The  only  one  who  can  pronounce  him  clean. 

[NAAMAN  turns;  they  stand  looking  each  other  in 
the  face.] 

Yea, — thou  art  cleansed:  Rimmon  hath  pardoned 

thee,— 

In  answer  to  the  daily  prayers  of  her 
Whom  he  restores  to  thine   embrace, — thy  wife. 
[TSARPI  comes  slowly  toward  NAAMAN.] 

NAAMAN: 

From  him  who  rules  this  House  will  I  receive 

Nothing!     I  seek  no  pardon  from  his  priest, 
No  wife  of  mine  among  his  votaries! 

TSARPI:  [Holding  out  her  hands.] 

Am  I  not  yours  ?    Will  you  renounce  our  vows  ? 

NAAMAN: 

The  vows  were  empty, — never  made  you  mine 

In  aught  but  name.    A  wife  is  one  who  shares 


ACT  iv.  sc.ii.]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  115 

Her  husband's  thought,  incorporates  his  heart 

With  hers  by  love,  and  crowns  him  with  her  trust. 

She  is  God's  remedy  for  loneliness, 

And  God's  reward  for  all  the  toil  of  life. 

This  you  have  never  been  to  me, — and  so 

I  give  you  back  again  to  Rimmon's  House 

Where  you  belong.     Claim  what  you  will  of  mine, — 

Not  me!     I  do  renounce  you, — or  release  you, — 

According  to  the  law.     If  you  demand 

A  further  cause  than  what  I  have  declared, 

I  will  unfold  it  fully  to  the  King. 

REZON:  [Interposing  hurriedly.] 

No  need  of  that!    This  duteous  lady  yields 

To  your  caprice  as  she  has  ever  done: 
She  stands  a  monument  of  loyalty 
And  woman's  meekness. 

NAAMAN: 

Let  her  stand  for  that! 


n6  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [Acriv.  sc.  n. 

Adorn  your  temple  with  her  piety! 
But  you  in  turn  restore  to  me  the  treasure 
You  stole  at  midnight  from  my  tent. 

REZON: 

What  treasure  ?    I  have  stolen  none  from  you. 

NAAMAN: 

The  very  jewel  of  my  soul, — Ruahmah! 

My  King,  the  captive  maid  of  Israel, 

To  whom  thou  didst  commit  my  broken  life 

With  letters  to  Samaria,— my  light, 

My  guide,  my  saviour  in  this  pilgrimage, — 

Dost  thou  remember? 

BENHADAD : 

I  recall  the  maid, — 

But  dimly, — for  my  mind  is  old  and  weary. 

She  was  a  fearless  maid,  I  trusted  her 

And  gave  thee  to  her  charge.     Where  is  she  now  ? 

NAAMAN : 

This  robber  fell  upon  my  camp  by  night, — 


ACT  IV.  Sc.lL]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  117 

While  I  was  with  Elisha  at  the  Jordan, — 
Slaughtered  my  soldiers,  carried  off  the  maid, 
And  holds  her  somewhere  in  imprisonment. 

0  give  this  jewel  back  to  me,  my  King, 
And  I  will  serve  thee  with  a  grateful  heart 
For  ever.     I  will  fight  for  thee,  and  lead 
Thine  armies  on  to  glorious  victory 
Over  all  foes!    Thou  shalt  no  longer  fear 
The  host  of  Asshur,  for  thy  throne  shall  stand 
Encompassed  with  a  wall  of  dauntless  hearts, 
And  founded  on  a  mighty  people's  love, 
And  guarded  by  the  God  of  righteousness. 

BENHADAD: 

1  feel  the  flame  of  courage  at  thy  breath 

Leap  up  among  the  ashes  of  despair. 
Thou  hast  returned  to  save  us!    Thou  shalt  have 
The  maid;  and  thou  shalt  lead  my  host  again! 
Priest,  I  command  you  give  her  back  to  him. 


n8  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [Acriv.  sc.  n. 

REZON: 

0  master,  I  obey  thy  word  as  thou 

Hast  ever  been  obedient  to  the  voice 
Of  Rimmon.    Let  thy  fiery  captain  wait 
Until  the  sacrifice  has  been  performed, 
And  he  shall  have  the  jewel  that  he  claims. 
Must  we  not  first  placate  the  city's  god 
With  due  allegiance,  keep  the  ancient  faith, 
And  pay  our  homage  to  the  Lord  of  Wrath  ? 

BENHADAD:  [Sinking  back  upon  his  throne  in  fear.] 

1  am  the  faithful  son  of  Rimmon 's  House, — 

And  lo,  these  many  years  I  worship  him! 
My  thoughts  are  troubled, — I  am  very  old, 
But  still  a  King!    O  Naaman,  be  patient! 
Priest,  let  the  sacrifice  be  offered. 

[The  High  Priest  lifts  his  rod.  Gongs  and 
cymbals  sound.  The  curtain  is  rolled  back, 
disclosing  the  image  of  Rimmon;  a  gigantic 
and  hideous  idol,  with  a  cruel  human  face  Jour 


ACT  IV.  sc.ii.]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  119 

horns,  the  mane  of  a  lion,  and  huge  paws 
stretched  in  front  of  him  enclosing  a  low  altar 
of  Hack  stone.  RUAHMAH  stands  on  the  altar, 
chained,  her  arms  are  bare  and  folded  on  her 
breast.  The  people  prostrate  themselves  in 
silence,  with  signs  of  astonishment  and  horror.] 

REZON: 

Behold  the  sacrifice !    Bow  down,  bow  down ! 

NAAMAN:  [Stabbing  him] 

Bow  thou,  black  priest!  Down, — down  to  hell! 

Ruahmah!  do  not  die!     I  come  to  thee. 

[NAAMAN  rushes  toward  her,  attacked  by  the 
priests,  crying  "Sacrilege!  Kill  him!"  But 
the  soldiers  stand  on  the  steps  and  beat  them 
back.  He  springs  upon  the  altar  and  clasps 
her  by  the  hand.  Tumult  and  confusion. 
The  King  rises  and  speaks  with  a  loud  voice, 
silence  follows] 

BENHADAD  : 

Peace,  peace!    The  King  commands  all  weapons 

down! 

O  Naaman,  what  wouldst  thou  do  ?    Beware 
Lest  thou  provoke  the  anger  of  a  god. 


120  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  [Acriv.  sc.  n. 

NAAMAN: 

There  is  no  God  but  one,  the  Merciful, 

Who  gave  this  perfect  woman  to  my  soul 
That  I  might  learn  through  her  to  worship  Him, 
And  know  the  meaning  of  immortal  Love. 
Whom  God  hath  joined  together,  all  the  Powers 
Of  hate  and  falsehood  never  shall  divide. 

BENHADAD:  [Agitated. 

Yet  she  is  consecrated,  bound,  and  doomed 

To  sacrificial  death;  but  thou  art  sworn 

To  live  and  lead  my  host, — Hast  thou  not  sworn? 

NAAMAN: 

Only  if  thou  wilt  keep  thy  word  to  me ! 

Break  with  this  idol  of  iniquity 

Whose  shadow  makes  a  darkness  in  the  land; 

Give  her  to  me  who  gave  me  back  to  thee; 

And  I  will  lead  thine  army  to  renown 

And  plant  thy  banners  on  the  hill  of  triumph. 

But  if  she  dies,  I  die  with  her,  defying  Rimmon. 


ACT  iv.  Sc.n.]  THE  HOUSE  OF  RIMMON  121 

[Cries  of  "Spare  them!  Release  her!  Give  us 
back  our  Captain!"  and  "Sacrilege!  Let 
them  die!"  Then  silence,  all  turning  toward 
the  King.} 

BENHADAD : 

Is  this  the  choice?    Must  we  destroy  the  bond 

Of  ancient  faith,  or  slay  the  city's  living  hope! 
I  am  an  old,  old  man, — and  yet  the  King! 
Must  I  decide? — O  let  me  ponder  it! 

[His  head  sinks  upon  his  breast.  All  stand 
eagerly  looking  at  him.] 

NAAMAN:  [Holding  her  in  his  arms.] 

Ruahmah,  my  Ruahmah!     I  have  come 

To  thee  at  last!    And  art  thou  satisfied? 

RUAHMAH:  [Looking  into  his  face.] 
Beloved,  my  beloved,  I  am  glad 

Forever!  Come  what  may,  the  only  God 
Is  Love, — and  He  will  never  part  us. 
FINIS. 


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